Laura Fearn - Designer
I am an award-winning freelance Book Designer with 18 years experience in the Publishing industry. I'm also an illustrator and artist.
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Overview
I have designed a wide variety of books ranging from young children's picture books, to sticker books, Shakespeare's stories, atlases and illustrated & photographic encyclopaedias and reference books. I design covers and book interiors and have recently designed the branding and logo for a new publishing house.
Services
Fiction
Anthologies
Historical Fiction
Picture Books
Plays & Screenplays
Poetry
Short Story
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
History
Life Sciences
Music
Nature
Certifications
- BA(Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration)
Awards
- Usborne Picture Books: On the Moon, The Rainy Day, In the Nest, The Dinosaur - Gold in the Practical Pre-School Awards for Usborne Picture Books 2005
- On the Moon - Highly Commended in the Right Start Best Toy Awards 2004.
- The Usborne Internet-Linked Children’s World Atlas - SiIver in the Geographical Association Awards 2002
- Usborne Complete Book of the microscope - Winner of the Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Award 2000. Winner of the Rhone-Poulenc Junior Science Book Award 1998. Parent Council Ltd. Award 2000.
- Planet Earth - Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award 2000
- The Encyclopedia of the Ancient World - Parent Council Ltd. Award 2000
Work experience
Freelance Designer, Illustrator and Artist
Laura Fearn Art, Design and Illustration
January, 2007
–
Present
(almost 15 years)
Working freelance as a designer, illustrator and artist providing layout, book cover design, style setting books and series of books, interior page layout, commissioning illustrators, picture research, card design, watercolour, pen and ink street scenes, acrylic on canvas portraits, public art and pencil drawing.
Senior Designer
Usborne Publishing, London
May, 1998
–
November, 2004
(over 6 years)
Style setting and designing books and series of books, covers, visualising illustrations, commissioning illustrators, managing teams of up to 8 designers, picture research and preparing books for print.
Children's Book Designer
Usborne Publishing, Wolverhampton
December, 1996
–
May, 1998
(over 1 year)
Designing book interior layouts, cover design, visualising illustrations, commissioning illustrators, picture research and preparing books for print.
Portfolio (18 selected works)
This volume reveals the secrets of the micro world, from algae to atoms, dust to DNA and flies' eyes to flu viruses. There is practical information on buying and taking care of microscopes, plus over 20 step-by-step projects for use with your own microscope, and related Internet sites.
This guide is based on contemporary information from astronomers around the world, and space probes around the galaxy. It contains illustrations of exploding stars and how black holes are formed, star maps so the reader can navigate the night sky, and recommended internet links.
The Usborne Internet-linked Introduction to Music
Eileen O'Brien
This introduction to music covers topics from sound recording and the rock business to reading music and composers. It is packed with suggestions for tracks to listen to, plus a useful glossary of musical terms. The history and development is explored along with detailed biographies of musicians. It features access to websites and free downloadable pictures and diagrams with text explaining ho... read more
This encyclopaedia seeks to help children explore the many facets of Ancient Greece and learn about the environment from which Greek myths and classic legends sprung. The illustrations combine with the text to offer a sense of what life would have been like at the time, along with discussion of subjects relevant to the curriculum. The encyclopaedia has been revised to include recommended Inter... read more
First Bible
Mandy Field
Stories from Shakespeare
Anna Claybourne
A re-telling of some of Shakespeare's best known plays, in story form Includes a synopsis, quotations and list of characters from every play alongside information about Shakespeare's work, life and poetry, to put the plays into context. Ages 10+
Internet-linked Encyclopedia of World Geography Including Complete Atlas (Internet-linked Encyclopedias)
Gillian Doherty, etc., et al
Places the world at your fingertips, with key geography topics explained in a lively and accessible way. It oncovers the drama of the physical world, looking at whirling tornadoes, fiery volcanos and more. Hundreds of recommended Web sites take the reader on journey around the world. Ages 10+.
Peoples of the World (Usborne Internet-linked Reference)
Gill Doherty, Anna Claybourne
This engaging book introduces children to the diversity of people all over the world. Organised on a continent-by-continent basis, each section takes a look at the different ways of life, cultures, cooking and faiths. Simple, informative text is illustrated with stunning photographs and detailed maps and there are internet links to recommended websites to find out more.
Including full-page illustrations which bring stories from the Old and New Testament vividly to life, this carefully written text is suitable for reading aloud to young children or for older children to read independently.
The First Christmas
Heather Amery, Elena Temporin
Elena Temporin's rich and textured watercolour illustrations bring to life this simple retelling of the Nativity story, each page featuring a beautiful original painting. Age 2+
On the Moon (Usborne Picture Books)
Anna Milbourne
This is an artist-led picture book, which introduces young children to the vastness of the universe, how far away the moon is, what gravity is and the concept of space travel through a gentle and captivating story about an imaginative little girl. Combining full colour illustrations with NASA photographs from the surface of the moon, this beautifully illustrated picture book takes young childr... read more
Rainy Day
Anna Milbourne
This is a new edition of this artist-led picture book that begins with the question 'Have you ever wondered what clouds are made of?' This title includes fabulous watercolour paintings and evocative text that lead very young children through the effects of a rainy day; from cloudy skies to the 'splish, splash, splosh' of puddles and a beautiful rainbow. It also includes a simple story for very... read more
The Nest
Anna Milbourne
An evocative artist-led picture book superbly illustrated by international illustrator Laurence Cleyet-Merle. The gently descriptive yet informative text takes the form of a story which explains how birds nurture their young. The tale follows the first days and weeks in a nest of young birds as they learn to fly, feed themselves and gain their independence. The lyrical text introduces children... read more
Butterfly (Usborne Picture Books)
Anna Milbourne
This is a delightful new title in the rapidly expanding "Usborne Picture Books" series, which introduce the youngest of children to engaging subjects in a friendly way. Young children will love following the charming story of a greedy caterpillar transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Cathy Shimmen's illustrations provide an enchanting backdrop to the accessible, simple text.
Butterflies (Usborne New Spotters' Guides)
George E. Hyde
This title is part of the "New Spotter's Guides" series offering enthusiasts, keen to discover the many fascinating aspects of the natural world, a pocket-sized field guide. Each title contains spotters' score cards, glossaries, maps, reference materials and illustrations of 100-200 species.
Dinosaur (Usborne Picture Books)
Anna Milbourne
This is a wonderfully imaginative artist-led picture book taking young children on a gently informative and enjoyable journey into prehistoric times. Beginning with a little boy wondering what real dinosaurs were like, the story transports readers into the prehistoric age. The tale follows a loveable stegosaurus, as he hatches from his egg and grows up, encountering a fearsome predator and the... read more
The Usborne Internet-linked Children's World Atlas
Gill Doherty
A new edition of this modern world atlas with 60 pages of maps. Features an introduction to each continent, satellite photography of the Earth's most dramatic landscapes, and a gazetteer of facts about the countries of the world. Includes internet links to a wide range of recommended websites.
Every home needs an atlas and the "Usborne Internet-linked Essential Atlas of the World" introduces the basics of geography and mapping in a fun, colourful way. A wealth of full-colour maps, facts, diagrams and photographs help children to understand the geography of the world and introduce them to the people who live there. It facilitates an understanding of the relationship between countries... read more
Laura has 4 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Laura was an absolute pleasure to work with. She helped me create a gorgeously beautiful drawing of my fictional universe which looks fantastic in color and black and white. She made sure I was completely satisfied and was patient with all of my changes. The work was completed early and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I look forward to our next collaboration.
David Goodin, November 2020
Reply from Laura Fearn
The collaboration with Laura was excellent. She provided a great quality design for my book cover.
I was able to communicate frequently with Laura and together we were able to iron out any issues which occurred during the process.
Laura even provided me with some extra suggestions which I was delighted to incorporate into the design.
Laura worked in a very professional manner and was a plea...
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Marie ryan, August 2020
Communication and later collaboration with Laura have been excellent at all times. She fulfilled my expectations, creating some lovely artwork in a timely manner.
Laura has a great sense of design and use of colour. She was extremely helpful, making useful suggestions and advising me well on this project.
I am so pleased with Laura's initial design of my book cover, that I am looking for...
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Marie ryan, May 2020
Laura was easy to work with. This was my first time working with an illustrator for a book, and she was very patient with me. Her artwork was professional and engaging. We worked together to ensure that the concepts I wanted to display came across through the illustrations; Laura helped me with the revisions seamlessly. I would highly recommend her.
David Johnson, December 2017
Reply from Laura Fearn
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