Jo Cowan – Designer

I'm a highly experienced creative publishing designer specialising in children's illustrated books, fiction, non-fiction, toddlers to teens.

Overview

I've worked in the publishing industry for 30 years, until recently as the Creative Director at Miles Kelly Publishing. I have extensive skills that bring experience and knowledge to you. I am a designer, not an illustrator.

I develop imaginative designs from your concept through to professional, print-ready files, whether it’s an illustrated book, an intricate cover with lots of effects or a simple board book for toddlers. I'm here to help you produce they best book we can for the right price.

I particularly enjoy choosing fonts, colours and artists specific and suitable for each book. My superpowers are my microscopic attention to detail and knowing how to improve any layout or cover (if it needs it).

Services

Cover Design

Typography

Book Interior Design

Non-Fiction

Children’s Non-Fiction Education & Reference Nature

Fiction

Picture Books

Languages

English

Certifications

BA Hons Graphic Design

Work experience

Freelance Publishing Designer

Self-employed

Jan, 2021 — Present

As a freelancer, I design the children’s coding series The QuestKids® for In Easy Steps, helped finish some Little Baby Learns board books with press-out play pieces for Priddy Books, designed a range of phonics activity titles for Jolly Learning and designed a variety of books for indie authors.

Art Director/Creative Director

Miles Kelly Publishing

Jan, 2003 — May, 2024 (over 21 years)

In 1999, I joined Miles Kelly Publishing as a senior designer and went on to become the Creative Director, before leaving in May 2024 and moving to Cornwall. During this period, I created and oversaw hundreds of children’s books across many subjects and age groups. As technology, programmes and printing effects advanced, my cover designs became more creative, using embossing, foils and Pantone ink, and page layout became easier to set up.

Graphic Designer

Photosound Communications Ltd

Jan, 2001 — Dec, 2002 (almost 2 years)

Here I created graphics for stands and designed marketing materials and brochures for pitches, exhibitions and promotions for the pharmaceutical industry.

Designer

Guinness Publishing

Jun, 1996 — Dec, 1998 (over 2 years)

I worked on the Guinness Book of World Records amongst other titles. As well as typesetting and page layout, I carried out picture research the old-fashioned way – looking through hanging sheets of slides in filing cabinets.