Elysia Clapin - Designer
Experienced book designer specialising in Cover Design // Internal Design // Marketing Assets // Illustration // Typesetting
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Overview
Hello there, authors/editors/publishers/book professionals!
I'm a book designer originally from Sydney, Australia, and currently located in Vancouver, Canada. I've worked in book publishing (AKA the nicest industry in the world!) for close to a decade. With a background in social media and digital marketing, I'm adept at identifying market trends and designing books that sell.
I love designing across all genres and forms, and can:
- work with you to nail a cover
- lay out internal designs for cookbooks, giftbooks and picture books alike
- typeset your novel (and act as an extra pair of copyediting eyes - I have a keen eye for grammar and spelling!)
- add flair to your non-fiction book using colour, typography and small stylised drawings/illustrations
- create social media and marketing assets to sell your book, working with existing branding and design guides where required
- even fully illustrate your picture book!
Back home in Australia, I'm lucky enough to work as the in-house designer for leading global social purpose publisher Pantera Press (shortlisted in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the Australian Book Industry’s Small Publisher of the Year Award). Through my role at Pantera Press, I work regularly with authors, editors, marketing and publicity teams, publishers, and printing houses, and am very comfortable servicing and balancing the needs of different teams at once.
In 2020, for my internal design of You Can Change the World by Lucy Bell, I was shortlisted alongside illustrator Astred Hicks for the ABDA Best Designed Children's Non-Fiction Illustrated Book.
Aside from books, I also love birds, the cinema, and basketball (watching it, not playing!). I'm friendly, flexible, professional and quick, and I'd love to chat with you about how I can do my part to help share your book with readers around the world.
— — —
I'm a book designer originally from Sydney, Australia, and currently located in Vancouver, Canada. I've worked in book publishing (AKA the nicest industry in the world!) for close to a decade. With a background in social media and digital marketing, I'm adept at identifying market trends and designing books that sell.
I love designing across all genres and forms, and can:
- work with you to nail a cover
- lay out internal designs for cookbooks, giftbooks and picture books alike
- typeset your novel (and act as an extra pair of copyediting eyes - I have a keen eye for grammar and spelling!)
- add flair to your non-fiction book using colour, typography and small stylised drawings/illustrations
- create social media and marketing assets to sell your book, working with existing branding and design guides where required
- even fully illustrate your picture book!
Back home in Australia, I'm lucky enough to work as the in-house designer for leading global social purpose publisher Pantera Press (shortlisted in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the Australian Book Industry’s Small Publisher of the Year Award). Through my role at Pantera Press, I work regularly with authors, editors, marketing and publicity teams, publishers, and printing houses, and am very comfortable servicing and balancing the needs of different teams at once.
In 2020, for my internal design of You Can Change the World by Lucy Bell, I was shortlisted alongside illustrator Astred Hicks for the ABDA Best Designed Children's Non-Fiction Illustrated Book.
Aside from books, I also love birds, the cinema, and basketball (watching it, not playing!). I'm friendly, flexible, professional and quick, and I'd love to chat with you about how I can do my part to help share your book with readers around the world.
— — —
"As an editor, I've had the pleasure of working with Elly for over 8 years. She is professional, kind and wonderful to collaborate with, taking on feedback in a timely and thoughtful way. Her designs are beautiful, fresh, considered and always on brief. She also designed my own book, You Can Change the World, and I couldn't have asked for a better person to bring my words to life."
- Lucy Bell, Editor and Author You Can Change the World and You Can Live on the Bright Side
"Elly is a miracle worker! With a very vague brief, an overload of illustrations and weird requests from the author, she turned my book into something magnificent. She worked tirelessly to pull every section together and give it a unique flair, while speaking to the tone of the book. She made this so much more than just a book, she made it something beautiful!"
- Anna Blackie, Author How To Adult
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Education & Reference
Fiction
Children's
Contemporary Fiction
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Young Adult
Work experience
Designer
Pantera Press
October, 2013
–
Present
(over 9 years)
Designer
Self-employed
October, 2013
–
Present
(over 9 years)
Portfolio (11 selected works)
So Far, So Good: A memoir of connection, loss, laughter and the Torres Strait
Fa'Aoso, Aaron, Scott Tucker, Michelle
The Map of Night
Kimberley Starr
‘Dark Matter pulls light waves into curves, and conceals the true location of everything. It distorts reality.’Astronomer Lucy Rutherford is celebrating the refurbishment of the 100-year-old telescope in the Yarra Valley town of Bowness, Victoria. Her husband, Justin, is running for parliament, on a platform of responsibility and progress.But Lucy isn’t interested in being a politician’s wife.... read more
You Can Change the World
Lucy Bell
Kids around the world are working together to make our planet a better, safer, happier place—and now you can join in with this practical guide!You Can Change the World empowers kids to make changes in their lives and communities with the powerful message that anyone can make a difference in the world. This colorfully illustrated book is packed with information, ideas, and activities for everyd... read more
I Had Such Friends
Meg Gatland-Veness
Reminiscently capturing the warm and raw voices of Charlie Kelmeckis from The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Clay Jensen from Thirteen Reasons Why, I Had Such Friends is an important story about self-discovery, grief and finding your voice.When Charlie Parker, the most popular boy in school, dies it affects everyone who knew him. Everyone, that is, except for Hamish Day, the boy with only one... read more
When Only One
Meg Gatland-Veness
‘There’s someone in the school. Someone who’s not supposed to be there. This person is walking towards the classroom. They’re holding something in their hands. Something terrifying.’Sam lives with his mum, dad and four brothers in a small farming town. At his school, there are three main factions: the rich kids, the mid-grounders and the farm kids who live on the outskirts. Sam is a comfortabl... read more
You Can Live on the Bright Side
Lucy Bell
Change and growth can be challenging, but this practical guide to optimism is full of information and advice to help—highlighting kids around the world who are doing good for themselves and others.From the author of You Can Change the World comes a book of tips and tricks for kids to help them see the glass half full and live life with a positive outlook. Addressing topics such as mindfulness,... read more
The Success Experiment
Lillian Ahenkan
‘A desperately needed, delightfully digestible conversation on self-betterment that’ll have you in tears and in stitches all at once.’ Sarah Davidson‘This fast-paced how-to packs a millennial sized punch and will make you think differently about the way you live and work.’ Emma IsaacsHow would our lives change if we set our goals based on what would actually fulfil us, instead of what feels ea... read more
I Quit Plastics: And You Can Too
Nelson, Kate
Elysia has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I really enjoyed working with Elysia. I love my finished product and I even more appreciate the wrap around support and Elysia being sure everything was working well with the book before she finished the project. Communication was clear and any delays were minimal. She was flexible and that was greatly appreciated because I was coordinating proofreading at the same time
I would definitely h...
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Lena Derie-Gillespie, March 2023
Elysia was fantastic to work with. I look forward to continuing to work with her on other projects in the future.
Amy Macdonald, January 2023
Reply from Elysia Clapin
Elysia was a complete delight to work with. She took my rough manuscript and shaped it into a beautiful final design, with many excellent suggestions and ideas to add. I highly recommend her services.
Walter Willett, December 2022
Reply from Elysia Clapin
Elysia's work went beyond my expectations! She gave me a beautiful book, designed perfectly, and sensitive to the tone of the entire piece. She gave me options along the way, communicated with me constantly and always supported my ideas. She also offered guidance, patience and understanding as I was not the most chill person during this time. When my next book is done, I would be honored to wor...
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Scott DoVale, October 2022
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Reply from Elysia Clapin
Elysia offered me a level of expertise, competence and care that I was hoping to find in a cover designer. She provided me with a variety of options and collaborated with me throughout the entire process. We had a glitch in our email exchanges, but she was clearly the right person for my book.
Scott DoVale, September 2022
Reply from Elysia Clapin
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