Laura Boyle

Laura Boyle - Designer

Toronto, ON, Canada

An expert designer with over 10 years' experience and a very personable approach. I won't stop until you are thrilled with your design!

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Overview

I have over ten years of industry experience as an in-house designer at a major Canadian book publisher. I know the tips of the trade like the back of my hand, but I also have a great respect for every author that is undertaking the self-publishing journey. I'm excited for you, and I want to help you make your project look awesome!


ABOUT ME

I am an art director and a seasoned book designer with over ten years of experience and more the 400 books under my belt. I have worked on a wide range of projects, from complex textbooks to well-crafted novels. I am a typography enthusiast, and I keep an eye on current design and market trends. I know how to design a book that targets the right audience, stands out on the shelf, and speaks to the quality and attention to detail that has been invested into your project.

Fulfilling the client's vision and meeting or exceeding expectations are imperative to me: I take the time that is needed to fully understand the project's scope before I launch into the design. I also draw on my extensive experience to bring to light new approaches that may not have occurred to the client. I am highly flexible, open to ideas, and committed to the timelines that my clients establish.

I also offer package deals if you are looking for one professional to design your cover, layout, epub and marketing materials. Please inquire within!
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Management
Education & Reference
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Works with
Squarespace
WordPress

Certifications

  • OCAD Certificate in Digitial Media Studies
  • Ryerson Publishing Certificate
  • Concordia Bachelor of Fine Arts

Awards

  • CBC books best Canadian covers of 2015

Work experience

Graphic Designer/ Creative Director

Self-employed
January, 2013 – Present (about 10 years)

- Designing book layouts for complex, image-based books as well as novels and everything in between
- Designing beautiful covers for novels, young adult books, mysteries, business guides, etc
- Creating graphs, charts, and other interior illustrations
- Designing epubs in a wide range of formats from simple, reflowable text to complex, fixed layout designs
- Consulting and advising authors on industry standards and best practices

Art Director

Dundurn Press
March, 2012 – Present (about 11 years)

- Overseeing the design of 75-100 books per year, and ensuring a standard of beauty and quality across the board.
- Commissioning illustrators and designers for individual projects and series
- Relaying with authors and ensuring that they are happy and confident their books are in the best hands

Portfolio (19 selected works)

Day Nine: A Postpartum Depression Memoir

Amanda Munday

A harrowing memoir about a woman’s struggle with postpartum depression.Nine days after the birth of her daughter, Amanda was involuntarily admitted to a Toronto psychiatric ward for postpartum depression (PPD). The typical hold-and-release process in Ontario is seventy-two hours. She stayed eighteen days.New parent sleep deprivation is familiar, but Munday’s tumultuous experience with depressi... read more

A harrowing memoir about a woman’s struggle with postpartum depression.Nine days after the birth of her daughter, Amanda was involuntarily admitted to a Toronto psychiatric ward for postpartum depression (PPD). The typical hold-and-release process in Ontario is seventy-two hours. She stayed eighteen days.New parent sleep deprivation is familiar, but Munday’s tumultuous experience with depressi... read more

Until Niagara Falls

Jennifer Maruno

Life with Gran in Niagara Falls is all about routine for nine-year-old Brenda Barnhart, until she meets Maureen. Brenda is afraid of heights, being in the dark, and dog poop. She meets daring, rule-breaking Maureen and realizes their friendship is a bit like walking a tightrope ― exciting but dangerous. Maureen encourages Brenda to use fire escapes, sleep outside in a tent, and walk through st... read more

Life with Gran in Niagara Falls is all about routine for nine-year-old Brenda Barnhart, until she meets Maureen. Brenda is afraid of heights, being in the dark, and dog poop. She meets daring, rule-breaking Maureen and realizes their friendship is a bit like walking a tightrope ― exciting but dangerous. Maureen encourages Brenda to use fire escapes, sleep outside in a tent, and walk through st... read more

Sadia

Colleen Nelson

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award — Winner, Young Adult • Red Maple Fiction Award — Shortlisted Sadia wishes life in high school was as straightforward as a game of basketball. Fifteen-year-old Sadia Ahmadi is passionate about one thing: basketball. Her best friend Mariam, on the other hand, wants to get noticed by the popular crowd and has started de-jabbing, removing her hijab, ... read more

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award — Winner, Young Adult • Red Maple Fiction Award — Shortlisted Sadia wishes life in high school was as straightforward as a game of basketball. Fifteen-year-old Sadia Ahmadi is passionate about one thing: basketball. Her best friend Mariam, on the other hand, wants to get noticed by the popular crowd and has started de-jabbing, removing her hijab, ... read more

The Sadness of Geography: My Life as a Tamil Exile

Logathasan Tharmathurai

A riveting story of a boy whose courage, perseverance, wit, and occasional burst of good luck guided him to the safety of his adopted home, Canada.

A riveting story of a boy whose courage, perseverance, wit, and occasional burst of good luck guided him to the safety of his adopted home, Canada.

101 Fascinating Hockey Facts

Brian McFarlane

Brian McFarlane, hockey history, author, and Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster, delivers 101 fascinating facts about the game he’s loved for over eighty years.

Brian McFarlane, hockey history, author, and Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster, delivers 101 fascinating facts about the game he’s loved for over eighty years.

Ready to Come About

Sue Williams

Ready to Come About is the story of an improbable year sailing the North Atlantic, through which author Sue Williams grew to believe that there is no gift more precious than the liberty to chart one’s own course and that risk is a good thing … sometimes, at least.

Ready to Come About is the story of an improbable year sailing the North Atlantic, through which author Sue Williams grew to believe that there is no gift more precious than the liberty to chart one’s own course and that risk is a good thing … sometimes, at least.

Roanoke Ridge: A Creature X Mystery

J.J. Dupuis

Is a suspicious death deep in the Oregon woods tied to the recent rash of Bigfoot sightings? Skeptic Laura Reagan is swept into uncovering the secrets hidden in Roanoke Ridge as she desperately searches the unforgiving wilderness for her former mentor, a renowned Bigfoot researcher.

Is a suspicious death deep in the Oregon woods tied to the recent rash of Bigfoot sightings? Skeptic Laura Reagan is swept into uncovering the secrets hidden in Roanoke Ridge as she desperately searches the unforgiving wilderness for her former mentor, a renowned Bigfoot researcher.

WHY DIDN'T I NOTICE HER BEFORE?: a memoir about dying to live

Beth Cramer

“…this keenly observed memoir delicately balances humor and heartache while signaling the importance of each passing moment. A profoundly moving remembrance that’s alternately sad and uplifting.”--Kirkus Review"In her beautifully written memoir, Beth Cramer goes where most cancer books don't dare. Why Didn't I Notice Her Before? is an honest--and brave--book about how the crisis affects her lo... read more

“…this keenly observed memoir delicately balances humor and heartache while signaling the importance of each passing moment. A profoundly moving remembrance that’s alternately sad and uplifting.”--Kirkus Review"In her beautifully written memoir, Beth Cramer goes where most cancer books don't dare. Why Didn't I Notice Her Before? is an honest--and brave--book about how the crisis affects her lo... read more

The Day She Died

Freedman, S.M.

Drone Chase

Withers, Pam

The New Wedding Book: A Guide to Ditching All the Rules

Bilodeau, Michelle, Cleveland, Karen

People You Follow: A Memoir

Penner, Hayley Gene

Tell Me My Name

Ruddy, Erin

Laura has 71 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Heather Levien
Laura has been just wonderful to work with. I've given her the materials, and she's gone off and returned with just exactly what I need (she's offered me options, but the perfect fit is always in the mix). I would be very happy to work with her again!

Heather Levien, March 2023

Laura Boyle
Thanks Heather! It was great working on your cover, I really love how it turned out.

Reply from Laura Boyle


Kaye Mcgann
I am so lucky to have worked with Laura Boyle! She is wonderfully creative, and produced high quality work for my book. She understood the look and feel of the cover I wanted which was quiet drama. The topic of my book is sensitive. She was willing to listen to the things I wanted designed to keep traumatized readers involved. Everything from the size of the margins, the font she chose, a...
Read more

Kaye Mcgann, March 2023

Laura Boyle
Thanks Kaye for the lovely review, it was so great to work with you on this book!

Reply from Laura Boyle


Louis Zambrana
It’s always a pleasure working with Laura.

Louis Zambrana, December 2022


Will Douglas
Laura is amazing as always! Quick, thorough and always positive. THANK YOU, Laura!

Will Douglas, December 2022

Laura Boyle
Thanks Will!

Reply from Laura Boyle


Audrey Hanagan
This is the second cover Laura has designed for me, and I cannot be more thrilled to have had the chance to work with her again. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a partner to collaborative with on a creative and high quality, professional cover!

Audrey Hanagan, November 2022

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