Hugh Cowling

Hugh Cowling – Designer

Book cover designer and illustrator working primarily in adult non fiction and fiction.

Overview

I am an illustrator and book cover designer based in Bristol, UK. I have worked for clients such as: TATE, the V&A, Bloomsbury, the Folio Society, BBC and Carnegie Hall. Although I enjoy working across a range of genres, my work lends itself particularly well to adult literary fiction and non fiction. My animation and motion graphic skills could be used to publicise books on social media.I like to work closely with the author so I have a good understanding of the book and can respond visually with a cover that is intriguing and communicates the tone and feel of the book.
Services
Fiction
Anthologies Poetry Short Story
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference Music Philosophy Religion & Spirituality Writing & Publishing
Languages
English English (UK)
Awards
  • Royal Television Awards West of England 2014 - Winner - Best Animation (with BDH)
  • Royal Television Awards West of England 2014 - Winner - Best Graphics and Visual Effects (with BDH)
  • Royal Television Awards West of England 2017 - Nomination - Best Animation (with Uncle Ginger)
Certifications
  • BA Hons Illustration, Falmouth University, First class
  • Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - Distinction

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2011 — Present

Portfolio

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Curating Pop speaks to the rapidly growing interest in the study of popular music exhibitions, which has occurred alongside the increasing number of popular music museums in operation across t... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Physics and the human heart

Ralston, Corie, Y

Corie Ralston

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Blue Van Winkle

Knox, Nathaniel David

Nathaniel David Knox

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Rocket States crosses the disciplines of Cold War Studies, American Literature, American Studies and Cultural Studies. The particular attraction of this study lies in the combination of its ra... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Shusaku Endo is celebrated as one of Japan's great modern novelists, often described as "Japan's Graham Greene," and Silence is considered by many Japanese and Western literary critics to be h... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
The Risk of Reading is a defense of the idea that deep and close readings of literature can help us to understand ourselves and the world around us. It explores some of the meaning and implica... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
The current revival of interest in ethics in literary criticism coincides fortuitously with a revival of interest in love in philosophy. The literary return to ethics also coincides with a spa... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Having emerged as one the leading contemporary British writers, David Mitchell is rapidly taking his place amongst British novelists with the gravitas of an Ishiguro or a McEwan. Written for a... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Paul Auster is one of the most acclaimed figures in American literature. Known primarily as a novelist, Auster's films and various collaborations are now gaining more recognition. Evija Trofim... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Although scholars have widely acknowledged the prevalence of religious reference in the work of Cormac McCarthy, this is the first book on the most pervasive religious trope in all his works: ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Joseph Acquisto examines literary writers and critical theorists who employ theological frameworks, but who divorce that framework from questions of belief and thereby remove the doctrine of s... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Nabokov's Shakespeare is a comprehensive study of an important and interesting literary relationship. It explores the many and deep ways in which the works of Shakespeare, the greatest writer ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography

Hugh has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

ruth P.

ruth P.

Jan, 2026

I could not be happier with my collaboration with Hugh. I was initially drawn to his work visually, but what I did not expect was that from the first to the last I felt seen and understood as a creative artist myself, as if he knew exactly what I was trying to convey from the inside-out. His cove...
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Nathan D.

Nathan D.

Dec, 2022

Hugh did exactly as his website advertised — he helped turn a complex idea into a digestible cover that enhanced the theme of my novel with a simple but significant visual motif. I can't recommend Hugh high enough. He was incredibly patient and helpful with narrowing down the direction for the c...
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Corie R.

Corie R.

Mar, 2021

Hugh was absolutely terrific to work with. He checked in with me on every step, and created several different book cover designs as we refined the vision for the cover. The final design is beautiful and I can't wait to see it in print.

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