Simona De Leo – Designer

Each book has its own character, atmosphere and story, and its cover should show what makes it special.

My name is Simona. I’m an Italian illustrator and graphic designer with over 10 years in the creative field. I design custom book covers with original artwork inspired by your story, characters, themes, and mood.

I love turning stories into visuals. By working closely with authors, I make sure each cover truly reflects the book and stands out to readers.

My style mixes hand-painted textures with digital tools, creating artwork that feels both modern and timeless. I’m especially drawn to fiction, literary fiction, food, travel, wellbeing, and stories that are connected to culture and place.

Here’s how I can help:

• Book cover illustration, design, and typography

• Interior illustrations

• Book interior design and typesetting for both fiction and non-fiction

My process is simple and collaborative. Whether you know what you want, have a moodboard, or just your manuscript, I’ll help you explore different visual directions. After reading your manuscript or talking with you, I create two or three initial concepts and develop the chosen idea into the final artwork.

Publishing a book is exciting but can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. I aim to make the creative process enjoyable, clear, and stress-free by keeping communication open. I’m happy to explain my design choices, include your feedback, and guide you from the first sketch to the finished cover.

I’ve worked with authors, publishers, and magazines such as Oxford University Press, Pearson Education, Mindful Magazine, Il Corriere della Sera... as well as many independent writers. Clients value not just the finished artwork, but also my clear communication, flexibility, and attention to detail.

If you want a cover made just for your book, with original illustrations instead of stock images, I’d love to hear about your story.