Keeli McCarthy - Designer
I specialize in pop culture and kids' books. From the big picture to small details, your book is in good hands!
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Overview
Asking smart questions and helping authors envision the best visual solutions for their books is my job! My clients come to me when they want to work with a designer who is equally comfortable with solid typographic principles and hand drawing and lettering. The best solution may incorporate many approaches, but it will always be sensitive to its audience and faithful to your core brief.
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Architecture
Art
Biographies & Memoirs
Comics (non fiction)
Cooking & Food Wine & Spirits
Design
Music
Photography
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels
Humor & Comedy
Literary Fiction
Picture Books
Young Adult
Certifications
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design Summa Cum Laude
Work experience
Senior book designer/art director
Fantagraphics Books Inc.
March, 2014
–
Present
(about 6 years)
Fantagraphics is well-represented on the New York Times Best Seller list as well as in Communication Arts and Print Magazine. As a senior designer with this independent publisher, I have art directed and designed book covers and interiors for comics, biographies, art anthologies, and historical reprints. Working closely with the print buyer and the artists, I incorporate finishes such as debossing, stamping, flocking, die cuts, and varnishes to create book objects that are of the highest quality in the field.
Freelance book designer
Klutz (a division of Scholastic Books)
January, 2001
–
August, 2013
(over 12 years)
Klutz was first in the field of "all-in-one" books for kids. In addition to designing covers and interior layouts, I also created decorative illustrations, hand-lettering, and art directed photography. Many of these books have been on the New York Times Best Seller list, and a few have been winners of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Parents’ Choice Awards.
Portfolio (5 selected works)
Angry Youth Comix
Johnny Ryan
Johnny Ryan is the "Louis C.K. of funny books," and this is an omnibus of all fourteen issues of his taboo-busting, career-defining series Angry Youth Comics―the stories, the covers, and even the letters pages. For the first time, all fourteen issues of Johnny Ryan’s career-defining comic book series Angry Youth Comics (2000–2008) are collected in one place: all the comics, the covers, and eve... read more
2016 Eisner Award Winner for Best Comics-Related Book! This biography reveals the true story of Mad creator Harvey Kurtzman―the man who revolutionized humor in America; it features new interviews with his colleagues Hugh Hefner, Robert Crumb, and others. Harvey Kurtzman created Mad, and Mad revolutionized humor in America. Kurtzman was the original editor, artist, and sole writer of Mad, one o... read more
An Age Of License
Lucy Knisley
Lucy Knisley’s latest food-themed graphic memoir recounts her adventures (some romantic) on a European book tour. Acclaimed cartoonist Lucy Knisley (French Milk, Relish) got an opportunity that most only dream of: a travel-expenses-paid trip to Europe/Scandinavia, thanks to a book tour. An Age of License is Knisley’s comics travel memoir recounting her charming (and romantic!) adventures. It’s... read more
Fante Bukowski
Noah Van Sciver
This is a graphic novella about a talentless literary aspirant, told with Van Sciver’s trademark compassion. Noah Van Sciver’s latest graphic novella drops in on the life of the self-styled, aspiring young writer, Fante Bukowski, as he delusively makes his way to literary fame and fortune, one drink at a time. Living in a cheap hotel, consorting with the debased and downtrodden, searching for ... read more
Gast
Carol Swain
In this graphic novel by Carol Swain, a bird watcher investigates the disappearance of a rare bird, aided by talking dogs. Helen is an amateur bird watcher and naturalist who lives in a rural community in Wales. When a local farmer Bill tells Helen that a “rare bird” named Emrys killed himself at Cuddig farm, she decides to investigate. One of the dogs at the farm tells her, by way of explanat... read more
Keeli has 1 review
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Keeli was easy to work with and professional throughout the process. She was so patient with my questions! I would highly recommend her.
Suzanne Grosser, June 2017
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