Ed Simkins

Ed Simkins – Designer

Hi, I'm Ed and with 30 years of publishing experience as a designer, illustrator and art director, I'm looking forward to working with you!

Overview

Hi, I'm Ed, a designer, illustrator and art director with 25 plus years of publishing industry experience. I have a passion for books and have designed covers and interiors for a large range of Children's and Adult non-fiction titles. My main areas of experience are in education, the natural world, science, technology and the arts.

I believe in a clean and simple approach that gets to the essence of the subject and the author's intention. If you check my portfolio you will see a range of approaches and styles that demonstrate my abilities to work across many subjects; from the natural world to movies, science to art and music. I can bring this skill to interpret your brief so you get the best possible design for your project whatever your budget.

I’ve spent my career communicating and collaborating with illustrators, agents, editors and writers so I know what it takes to work together to get the job done. I look forward to hearing from you and turning your ideas into a top quality product.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Education & Reference
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English
Awards
  • 2014 Society of Authors educational award for The World in Infographics: Animal Kingdom
  • Short listed for Blue Peter best book with facts 2014 for The World in Infographics: Animal Kingdom

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2023 — Present
I provide freelance design and illustration services to the UK publishing industry. Expert in Adobe Creative cloud and excellent freehand and digital illustration skills

Tall Tree Ltd

May, 2002 — Jun, 2023 (about 21 years)
I joined this book packager at its inception and in over 20 years produced 50+ non fiction titles for children and adults. Duties included overseeing a team of designers and working closely with editors, authors and illustrators. I was instrumental in setting a strong, graphical design style for the award winning World in Infographics series for Wayland Books.

Marshall Editions

Aug, 1996 — May, 2000 (almost 4 years)
Working with a small design and editorial team to produce children’s illustrated non fiction books. Duties included picture research, development and initial layout drawing. DTP layout using Indesign, Quark Xpress and Photoshop. Commissioning illustrators and attending photo shoots.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
SentenceStackers (The Stackers Series)

Snow, Emma

Stackers Education

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Made with Reedsy
Meet The Engineers (The Kids' Guide to Engineering Everything)

Forchu, Melody

Meet the Engineers Press

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
How the Rhino Lost His Horn: Cautionary Tales from Appalachia to Africa

Rathmell, Jack

Whitefox Publishing

Cover Design
Seeing Red

Allardyce, C E

Independently published

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
CONDEMNED: 26 Martyrs of Japan

Pelc, Gene

Independently published

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Twisted Neuros

Ryder, Z.J.

Cover Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Little poems of mind detox

Donnachie, MN

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Sharp Eyes (Tsunami Series Book 2)

Howard, Ehrle

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Tsunami (Tsunami Series Book 1)

Howard, Ehrle

Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Where is the Solar System's biggest mountain? Which planet is hot enough to melt metal? Where would you find the largest desert on Earth? Find out about the record-breaking features on our pla... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
What is the oldest building in the world? How big is the largest space station? How tall are the biggest skyscrapers? Find out all about the brilliant buildings that set world records—from the... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design

Ed has 30 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Melody F.

Melody F.

Mar, 2026

Pinned
I had the pleasure of working with Ed on my children’s STEM book, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Ed designed and led the illustration effort from start to finish, while always making sure my vision was front and center. The final illustrations are vibrant, engaging, and exactly w...
Read more
Tom B.

Tom B.

Mar, 2026

Pinned
Ed was very easy to work with and not only explained the process but made recommendations that made things easier. As a first time author, I really appreciated the guidance. The designer is really critical because they help you to get the files in the proper format to upload to KDP, Ingram, Dra...
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Ed S.
Thanks Tom, I'm pleased you're happy with the end result.
Tracy C.

Tracy C.

Feb, 2026

Pinned
Working with Ed was absolutely fabulous, from the moodboard he sent me immediately with ideas for my cover to the three potential covers themselves and right along in the process until we picked a final cover and colors and he completed it. He is a consummate professional, totally responsive, and...
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Anna B.

Anna B.

Jun, 2026

Ed was great to work with, even though I might have made it a bit hard for him sometimes! He understood the assignment and if clarifications were needed, he asked. I didn't feel like he went in trying to guess what I wanted, he took what I had and got to it. On the parts where I had more design f...
Read more
Ed S.
Thank you Anna!
David D.

David D.

May, 2026

Ultimately, We had different concepts of the cover; as a result, I decided to take the project to another illustrator. Ed was extremely cooperative, good natured, prompt, and accommodating—David Drews

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