Laura Boyle

Laura Boyle – Designer

An expert designer with over 13 years' experience and a very personable approach. I won't stop until you are thrilled with your design!

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 700 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!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Education & Reference
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English
Works with
Squarespace WordPress
Awards
  • CBC books best Canadian covers of 2015
Certifications
  • OCAD Certificate in Digitial Media Studies
  • Ryerson Publishing Certificate
  • Concordia Bachelor of Fine Arts

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2013 — Present

- 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

Dundurn Press

Mar, 2012 — Present

- 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

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Tell Me My Name

Ruddy, Erin

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
People You Follow: A Memoir

Penner, Hayley Gene

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Drone Chase

Withers, Pam

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Day She Died

Freedman, S.M.

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
“…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 upliftin... read more
Cover Design Book Interior Design
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 desperatel... read more
Cover Design
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 cha... read more
Cover Design
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.
Cover Design
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.
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. Fi... read more
Cover Design
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,... read more
Cover Design
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... read more
Cover Design Book Interior Design

Laura has 143 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bryn E.

Bryn E.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
As a non-fiction writer, I worked with designers regularly. In this, my first foray into fiction, I couldn't have asked for a better cover collaborator than Laura. She kept to schedule--and kept me on schedule. Her designs captured the essence of the story, and gave me insight into how my message looked away from my desk. The final version gives this nervous novelist more confidence that the ...
Read more
Darya A.

Darya A.

Jan, 2025

Laura did a great job and I appreciate the time, effort, and patience with this project.
Lisa T.

Lisa T.

Jan, 2025

Laura Boyle was completely professional throughout the collaboration. She is extremely knowledgeable of the cover design process and the current process of publishing. This was my first book, and I had some design ideas of my own, which in hindsight were terrible ideas, but which Laura patiently indulged and guided with no judgement until I discovered on my own the error of my ways. I am also ...
Read more
lydia G.

lydia G.

Dec, 2024

Unfortunately, I was unable to use any of Laura's designs. I was quite disappointed at the first round of designs as they were not the level of design/ quality I'd expected after reviewing her profile. The third round of designs were better; however, they were too late for me to use or progress as the deadline was not met, which was disappointing considering the fee.
Laura B.
Hi Lydia, I'm sorry the experience didn't meet your needs. Your feedback on the initial round of mockups singled out a couple of the directions to refine. I worked with your suggestions to improve ...
Read more
Louis Z.

Louis Z.

Dec, 2024

She always gets it right! Covers, interiors, I’m always happy with the end result.

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