The best book cover designers for hire near Chicago

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C.J. 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm an award-winning illustrator, well-versed both in realistic nature-based and fantasy painting and children's media ✨

Genres: Nature, Non-Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Children's, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • U.S Chess Federation (Freelance Client)
  • Gallopade
  • Cepia, LLC

Ashley 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Hi authors! Long time Reedsy designer. Always looking for creative partners, who want a unique cover. Message me for my detailed process.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Poetry, LGBTQ Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Write Bloody Publishing
  • NPR - Austin, TX
  • Gap Online
  • Ladders
  • Democratic National Committee
  • Bully Pulpit Interactive

Jon 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Bold yet practical, iced-coffee-drinking book designer with 20+ years in publishing, ready to help make your book a bestseller.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Sports & Outdoors, Political Science & Current Affairs, Music, Parenting & Families, True Crime, and Travel.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Independent Publishers Group, Chicago Review Press, and Triumph Books
  • Chicago Review Press

Megan 5 star rating

Charleston, SC, United States

A designer with a passion for books and a comprehensive knowledge of both traditional and independent publishing.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, Romance, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • CreateSpace, Subsidiary of Amazon.com
  • Amazon.com

Samantha 5 star rating

California, United States

Children's Illustrator and designer specialized in colorful, whimsical illustrations with experience from Disney.

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Jam City
  • RockYou Inc.
  • Walt Disney Interactive
  • Book Buddy Media

Ricardo 5 star rating

Philadelphia, United States

I'm illustrator and Graphic Designer. I love the freedom children's book illustration brings. I love small details just kids can understand.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Life Sciences, Math & Science, Fantasy, and Action & Adventure.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Annemieke 5 star rating

Seattle, WA, United States

Hi! I'm a cover designer with 10 years of experience, specializing in YA fiction. Clients include HarperCollins and Galison/Mudpuppy.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Architecture, Non-Fiction, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Design, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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David 5 star rating

Guilford, United States

I believe that book cover design has the power to crystalize and elevate the author's intent and expression.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Elynn 5 star rating

South Orange, United States

A versatile, creative, collaborative book design professional who designs covers and interiors with a focus on the children's market.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, Comics & Graphic Novels, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Freelance

Robin 5 star rating

New York City, NY, United States

Outstanding designs for BOOK COVERS and SUPPORT MATERIALS (print and digital) for Adult Trade and YA books, ebooks, and audiobooks.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, LGBTQ Fiction, Women's Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Health & Wellbeing, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • PenguinUSA

Dana 5 star rating

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

I have illustrated children's books for Scholastic, Random House, Penguin, Grosset & Dunlap, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Hallmark Cards

Kids designer/illustrator who loves storytelling, fun facts, cute macabre, fantasy, + nature. Let's create rad books—for the kid in us all♥️

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks
  • Self-employed

Nicole 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Designer and Art Director with 10 years of industry experience, specializing in YA and Adult. Has worked on 15 New York Times bestsellers.

Genres: Coming of Age, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Horror, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks
  • Self-employed

Kelly 5 star rating

Wilmington, DE, United States

I love how good design can complete a writer's vision and make it engaging. Fantasy, thrillers, historical and fiction really get me going.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Poetry, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Thriller & Suspense, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, and New Adult.

Work experience:

  • Four Dog Creative
  • Delaware Today
  • Delaware Bride
  • Self-employed

David 5 star rating

New York, United States

Exceedingly detail oriented and organized, with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; highly dedicated, and reliable.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Psychology, True Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Sterling Publishing
  • Simon and Schuster
  • Self-employed
  • Skyhorse Publishing

Ashley 5 star rating

Portland, ME, United States

I'm an art director, graphic designer and illustrator that loves book design, typography and the interplay of graphics and text.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Nature, Home & Garden, Middle Grade, Education & Reference, and Middle Grade Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Macmillan Children's Books
  • Sellers Publishing, Inc.

Candice 5 star rating

Iowa City, IA, United States

Award-winning fantasy illustrator. 100% hand-made with no generative AI. Providing cover design, typography, marketing assets, and more!

Genres: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Children's, and Middle Grade Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Bovard Studio, Inc.

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Hire the best book cover designers in Chicago, Illinois

Many authors overlook the importance of presentation and branding. Though DIY book covers are an inexpensive option, they rarely have the aesthetic qualities needed to attract readers and create a strong impression. This can make your book look unprofessional and deter readers from buying it as a result.

So unless you are an experienced designer yourself, you need a professional book cover designer to help you present your work in an appealing and effective way. Such a cover designer has all the experience needed to create a marketable outer appearance for your book. Depending on whether you want a photo-based or illustrated cover, you’ll need a graphic designer with the right qualifications — someone who knows what sells in your genre and how to apply that to your cover.

At Reedsy, we have some of the best book cover designers in Chicago. Sign up now and search our exclusive catalogue of cover design professionals, all of whom have been handpicked by our team.

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse professional profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.