Michelle Fairbanks – Designer

With the ocean and forest of Vancouver Island as my backdrop, I’m constantly inspired by the beauty, simplicity, and little details of the world around me.

For over 12 years, I’ve specialized in book design, creating thoughtful, distinctive covers and interiors that help authors bring their stories to life. I especially love the creativity and visual storytelling that goes into picture books—finding the right balance of typography, imagery, colour, and detail to make each book feel unique.

I believe the design process should feel creative, collaborative, and enjoyable—not overwhelming. I pride myself on being easy to work with, communicating clearly, and making sure my clients feel supported from the first idea to the finished book.

I love the challenge of creating something that feels just right for each book, and I’m always excited to see where a new story takes us.

TESTIMONIALS:

"When I first began as an author set to publish my work, the process was intense and daunting. I found Fresh Design to be extremely helpful and professional. They were extremely valuable in handling the illustration and manuscript files and creating a gorgeous layout." Sara Stone | Author

"Michelle has been an excellent collaborator in taking that artwork and turning it into polished, professional print-ready files. She understands the particular needs of picture-book production, including layout, typography, cover design, image placement, and preparing files for print. She is also incredibly easy to work with." Lindsay Ford | Author, Illustrator + Educator

"I had the joy of working with Michelle for two of my children’s books, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! Her communication was prompt and clear, making the collaboration a breeze. The covers and layouts are a true delight, adding magic to my tales!" April Hilland | Author, Educator and Librarian