Melissa Gandhi

Melissa Gandhi – Designer

Former Art Director at Quarto & Usborne | Recent clients include Penguin, Bonnier & Postwave Publishing | Specialist in book design & layout

Overview

Hi, I’m Melissa, an art director and designer with over a decade of experience creating beautiful, engaging books for both children and adults.

I began my career at Usborne, one of the UK’s most successful children’s publishers, before becoming Art Director at Quarto’s Design Eye imprint, where I helped shape a list from the ground up. Since then I’ve worked with a wide range of publishers, including Penguin, as well as independent authors, delivering everything from picture books and interactive formats to illustrated non-fiction.

Across my career I’ve designed standout covers, crafted layouts that seamlessly blend words and images, and collaborated with countless talented editors, authors, and illustrators. Many of my clients come back to me for multiple projects, which I’m really proud of - it shows the value I place on clear communication, reliable process, and design that works for everyone involved.

My preferred style is bold, colourful and contemporary, but always tailored to the project. Whether you’re a publisher or an independent author, I’ll help bring your words to life and ensure your book connects with both adults and children.

Please feel free to get in touch if you’d like to discuss your project.

Recent clients include: Heriot Watt University, DK, Thames & Hudson, Quarto, Do Re Mi, Tappi, Bonnier and more.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Classics Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Shortlisted Junior Design Award
  • Shortlisted Teach Primary Award
Certifications
  • BA Hons Graphic Design & Illustration (1st)

Work experience

Quarto

May, 2022 — Aug, 2024 (over 2 years)
As the Art Director of Design Eye, an imprint of the Quarto group, I was responsible for directing and designing hundreds of books across our list. As both a trade a co-edition imprint, I designed for a variety of markets including the UK, US, Asia and Europe. I have designed everything from baby books to adult titles, both fiction and non-fiction, always focussing on beautiful design, typography and illustration to make our books stand out from the rest. Over they years we have received a great deal of positive feedback about the quality of our designs, eyecatching in a crowded market.

Self-employed

Aug, 2024 — Present
I provide art direction, design and occasional illustration, specialising in children’s and adults illustrated publishing. My work spans picture books, illustrated non-fiction, activity and novelty formats, and adult titles. Recent clients include Postwave, Magic Cat, Templar, DK, Wide Eyed Editions, Unipress, Do Re Mi, Tappi and Heriot-Watt University. Alongside book design, I also take on select packaging, branding and strategy projects. My first fully illustrated & designed children's book, ASMR Sleepy Whispers, is publishing with Hachette in 2026.

Usborne Publishing

Sep, 2016 — Apr, 2022 (over 5 years)
As a designer at Usborne Publishing I had the opportunity to work on beautifully written books for children. A key project was 'The Usborne Book of the Brain' which I developed in collaboration with esteemed neuroscientist, Betina Ip. The book took complex PHD level information and distilled it into a graphic novel style format, with complex illustrations and metaphors to communicate the inner workings of the brain to children in an engaging way.

Portfolio

Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Sleepy Whispers: A Peaceful ASMR Touch-and-Feel

Bilgrami, Shaheen

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Book of the brain and How it works

Betina Ip

USBORNE CAT ANG

Cover Design Book Interior Design Production Management
Book Interior Design Production Management
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Folk Stories and Tall Tales (North American Folklore)

Cock-Starkey, Claire

Kane Miller Book Pub

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
My Busy Art Book

Eye, Design

Design Eye

Cover Design Book Interior Design Production Management
Princess Castle

Design Eye

Design Eye

Book Interior Design Production Management
Stickertopium: Romantasy

Eye, Design

Design Eye

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Production Management
Stickertopium: Gorgeous Gothic

Eye, Design

Design Eye

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Book Interior Design Production Management
We're moving house

Sam Taplin

Usborne Books

Cover Design Book Interior Design Production Management
Never Get Bored Outdoors

James MacLaine

Usborne Publishing Ltd

Book Interior Design Production Management

Melissa has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Yiwen Eva Z.

Yiwen Eva Z.

Mar, 2025

Pinned
I worked with Melissa on a few children's book covers, and she was wonderful! She offered multiple design options per book, and even adjusted illustrations to better suit the books. She was also very fast, responsive, and organized throughout the project. I highly recommend Melissa and would defi...
Read more

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