J.E. Larson – Designer

Greetings! My name is Jesse. I'm originally from Minneapolis, and after the proverbial there and back again, have settled back into the frosty wilderness of the Twin Cities, where I draw pictures in a haunted attic. Early on, my love for books and the visual arts led me inevitably into illustration, and my work has been featured in magazines such as Wired IT and Highlights, to publishing houses like Boyd's Mills & Kane, Bad Hand Books, and Penguin Random House. I have a deep appreciation for classic literature, particularly that of a supernatural chord or nostalgic sensibility (I'm an 80's monster kid) and I strive to keep the old aesthetics of classic ink work alive and relevant on bookshelves.

When involved with a project, I engage fervently in research for visual accuracy and the appropriate boundaries for stylizing to keep interpretations fresh and evocative, providing a healthy chapter of conceptual design to explore various avenues of visual story-telling. During this process I am always welcoming to the author to brainstorm with me to achieve a particular vision, or if left to my own discretion, orchestrate the highest quality product possible. This approach has generated not only quality work, but lasting friendships and trusted collaborations that continue to this day.

My desire is to create compelling visuals and eye-catching covers for the irreplaceable medium of physical books, not only to effectively elevate a great story, but to create something that is a delight to hold, treasure, and look back upon.