Michele Tupper - Designer
Experienced graphic designer and illustrator working in the New York Metro area with excellent design, typesetting, and typography skills.
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Overview
I'm an experienced book designer with cover design, as well as typesetting experience with major publishers such as Harper Collins, Hyperion, Disney and Scholastic. While working in house at Harper Collins, I was in charge of the design for their popular "I Can Read" series, and worked on a variety of picture books, board books and young adult novels. While freelancing with Scholastic, I was able to design an entire "Thomas the Tank Engine" flip book series as well as posters and picture books for their popular book club. While my experience has been primarily children's books, young adult, and teen novels, I am interested in showcasing my skills in other genres as well. I am flexible in my approach to typography and enjoy a good challenge.
I love typography and have been able to work on a few type heavy picture books where the type actually became a part of the artwork on each page, for instance "Baby Bee Bee Bird" and "Ten Go Tango" that you can see in my gallery below. Typography is every bit as important in a novel as it is in a picture book. I love finding just the right font to match the tone and personality of the book.
The cover design, in concert with the typography, needs to jump off the shelf to attract readers. One of my favorite experiences in book design was seeing a display of "Princess Tales" books by Gail Carson Levine on a display at Barnes and Nobles that I had designed. The display was surrounded by excited little girls with eager eyes, grabbing the sweet little books and begging their parents to buy them. That's when you know you got it right.
I look forward to meeting you, discussing ideas, and working with you on your next project!
I love typography and have been able to work on a few type heavy picture books where the type actually became a part of the artwork on each page, for instance "Baby Bee Bee Bird" and "Ten Go Tango" that you can see in my gallery below. Typography is every bit as important in a novel as it is in a picture book. I love finding just the right font to match the tone and personality of the book.
The cover design, in concert with the typography, needs to jump off the shelf to attract readers. One of my favorite experiences in book design was seeing a display of "Princess Tales" books by Gail Carson Levine on a display at Barnes and Nobles that I had designed. The display was surrounded by excited little girls with eager eyes, grabbing the sweet little books and begging their parents to buy them. That's when you know you got it right.
I look forward to meeting you, discussing ideas, and working with you on your next project!
Services
Languages
English
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Classics
Cultural & Ethnic
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Awards
- 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Award winner for Illustration
Work experience
Graphic Designer
Self-employed
April, 1997
–
Present
(over 25 years)
While the bulk of my book design experience is in children's and young adult books and teen novels for major publishing houses (both in-house and as a freelance designer), I have other varied design experience as a graphic designer well. I have years of experience designing posters, brochures, programs and invitations, as well as logos, trifolds and business cards in a wide variety of industries. I am capable of, and interested in, showcasing my skills in other book genres as well. For all of the books I have posted here, I designed the book cover for print, as well as the interior design and typography. In my gallery you can view covers, interiors, as well as some of my original illustrations for some of the books I've enjoyed working on.
Portfolio (31 selected works)
Ronnies Pool
Fink, Lindsay Ann, Tupper, Michele N.
The Girl's Guide to Dinosaurs
Julie McGann
Have you ever wondered how little dinosaurs played with their friends long ago? The Camarasaurus was the only plant eating dinosaur who chewed her food before swallowing. I wonder if she liked to chew gum and blow giant bubbles with her friends.Join my little friends, as they discover amazing dinosaur facts from A to Z and imagine how dinosaurs could have had fun together.
Trashy Town
Andrea Zimmerman, David Clemesha
Meet Mr. Gilly. He cleans up Trashy Town. There’s trash at the pizza parlor, trash at the school, and trash at every house. It’s a big job, but Mr. Gilly does it with a big truck, a big smile, and loads of style.Trashy Town features a rhythmic, repeatable refrain that will have children clamoring for repeat readings. Dynamic art from acclaimed illustrator Dan Yaccarino puts the zip in Mr. Gill... read more
![[(The Baby Beebee Bird )] [Author: Diane Redfield Massie] [May-2001]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51KnIySYMcL._SL160_.jpg)
Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlighting/notes, may not include CDs or access codes. 100% money back guarantee.
Ten Go Tango
Arthur Dorros
Here's the band--they play and play.1 osprey dances ballet.... That twirling osprey joins a host of other swinging animals in this counting jamboree. By the time ten flamingos go tango, the dance floor expands in a special foldout with 55 animals rocking away!Arthur Dorros's playful verse and Caldecott Medal winner Emily Arnold McCully's boisterous characters dance right off the page and will ... read more
Tonight, Tonight is Halloween
Lyons, Peter A, Murphy, Palmer
![[ The Seven Treasure Hunts (Trophy Chapter Books (Paperback)) By Byars, Betsy Cromer ( Author ) Paperback 1992 ]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514z7rIwrkL._SL160_.jpg)
[ The Seven Treasure Hunts Byars, Betsy Cromer ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 1992
Set of 19 hardcover books
Just Enough Carrots: Comparing Amounts (Mathstart)
Stuart J. Murphy
Cat's Pajamas
Thacher Hurd
Rhythm, sounds, and words are captured by vibrant illustrations that follow a group of jazzy cats on a city night, as they prowl the darkened streets in search of adventure.
On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World's Weather
Marilyn Singer
On the same day in March...Polar bears ride on Artic ice.People in French cafes turn up their faces to the sun. Hailstones roll over Indian hillsides. Rain makes a river in Kenya.On the same day that it's icy cold in the Artic, it's foggy in Louisiana, sunny in Barbados, and blowing wild winds called willy-willies in Austrailia. In this poetic exploration of longitude and weather, with bright ... read more
Complete with instructions for easy-to-make crafts, this collection provides a different tale for each holiday throughout the year and shows how Pooh and his friends find different ways to show their affections towards one another with each passing event.
The Persian Cinderella
Shirley Climo
"A luminescent interpretation. Meticulously researched illustrations faithfully depict the ornate beauty of an ancient land" (Kirkus Reviews).In this jewel-like version of a classic story, popular folklorist Shirley Climo tells the tale of Settareh, the Persian Cinderella.Magic enables Settareh to outsmart two jealous stepsisters and win the heart of a prince. But where most Cinderella stories... read more
How Many Fish? (My First I Can Read Book)
Caron Lee Cohen
In the bay...There are six little fish.Along come six little feet. What will happen when they meet?
![[(Splish Splash! )] [Author: Sarah Weeks] [Nov-2000]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51x5g0%2BPdDL._SL160_.jpg)
A little witch finds a way to out-witch her two bossy sisters
What really goes on at school! Funny poems and pictures explore the secret lives of school lunches, jungle gyms, pencils, and more.
The Flower Girl
Laura Godwin
A flower girl describes the people and activities at a wedding and its aftermath.
No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa
Beverley Naidoo
Escaping from his violent stepfather, twelve-year-old Sipho heads for Johannesburg, where he has heard that gangs of children live on the streets. Surviving hunger and bitter-cold winter nights is hard'but learning when to trust in the ‘new' South Africa proves even more difficult.No Turning Back appeared on the short list of both the Guardian and Smarties book prizes on the United Kingdom.
Gypsy Davey
Chris Lynch
Davey, a young boy trying to break the cycle of neglect that has shaped his life, must learn to take care of his teenage sister Jo when she gives birth to a baby. Reprint.
Leaving home for the first time is a rite of passage. Fifteen of the most respected authors of our time contribute their perspectives to this masterfully crafted anthology. From fear to desire, joy and hope, the mixed emotions that accompany each journey--physical and metaphysical--are conveyed in a manner that both stimulates the mind and satisfies the heart. Everyone eventually goes on a jou... read more
The Disney Bakery (Disney Editions Deluxe)
Adrienne Berofsky
Includes recipes and step-by-step instructions for making thirty desserts based on Disney stories, including "The Lion King," "Cinderella," "101 Dalmatians," and "Beauty and the Beast."
The Young Knights of Sadie Glenn
Carleen Anderson Gollahon
The Young Knights of Sadie Glenn is an action and an adventure story where young knights go on quest for the king, to help him rid evil from the kingdom and from their village. Putting on the armor of God is key for their protection in this fun and riveting book. Young people are clearly taught about the power of God’s Word and how to impact a community. They will read how the young knights tr... read more
The Quad Squad
Don Freeborn
Chase, Michael, Zack, and Brady have been best friends since they could walk. For The Quad Squad, as they call themselves, fifth grade seems full of promise—including the chance to win their first baseball championship together. But this year also brings new challenges that will test the foundation of their friendship.Chase struggles to come to terms with his parents’ divorce and an absent fat... read more
The Gritty Little Lamb
Allbaugh, Dan, Yap, Anil
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
Ralph said, "Rain tomorrow." Burt said, "Barley needs it. You're covered with cinders, Ellis." Ralph thought that was funny. "That's funny." He laughed. "That's what we should call him-- Cinderellis." Burt guffawed.In this unusual spin on an old favorite, Cinderlla is a boy! He's Cinderellis, and he has two unfriendly brothers and no fairy godmother to help him out. Luckily, he does have magic... read more
The Fairy's Return (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
Boy meets princess, and it's love at first sight. Both laugh at the same jokes. Both are named after birds. His name is Robin, hers is Lark. Could there ever have been a more perfect match? But alas! King Harrumphrey won't let Lark marry a baker's son. And Robin is betrothed to someone else. Now toss in Robin's nonsense-talking brothers, Nat and Matt, their versifying father, and Ethelinda, th... read more
For Biddle's Sake (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
There she was, chartreuse and warty and smiling at him. Such a nice smile. Something in his heart fluttered. The young maiden, Parsley, will eat nothing but parsley, which in Snettering-on-Snoakes grows only in the fairy Bombina's garden. All is well -- until Bombina is released from the fairy queen's dungeon. Her crime? Failing to get along with humans. And turning them into toads! Meanwhile,... read more
The Fairy's Mistake (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine charmed the world with Ella Enchanted, her spirited retelling of the Cinderella story. Now this award-winning author turns her attention to two more classic fairy tales, and deftly turns them upside down and inside out with her trademark wit and hilarity.In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is... read more
Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
A spiteful fairy. A beautiful princess. An outstretched finger. A spindle. A hundred-year snooze. A charming prince. A kiss. All the familiar ingredients.But wait! Where did that extra prince come from? And those fairy gifts that were never there before? And what does a flock of balding sheep have to do with anything?Gail Carson Levine has waved her magic wand over the old standby of "Sleeping... read more
The Princess Test (Princess Tales)
Gail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine charmed the world with Ella Enchanted, her spirited retelling of the Cinderella story. Now this award-winning author turns her attention to two more classic fairy tales, and deftly turns them upside down and inside out with her trademark wit and hilarity. In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella i... read more
Michele has 10 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Michele was attentive, professional, and thorough throughout the process of designing my book. She's patient and knowledgeable about her craft. She held my hand through the entire process and produced a beautifully designed book. I couldn't have asked for a better designer to work with on my first fiction work!
Crystal Briscoe, June 2022
Michele was invaluable in helping me to navigate and understand the process. Perfectionist (in the good way). My book looks incredible. If you want an experienced, professional designer as part of your team - hire Michele.
M K, March 2022
Reply from Michele Tupper
Beyond talented, Michele gave a million percent of herself. As soon as I contacted her, she gave me paragraphs of information, answering questions I didn't know needed asking. And it got better from there. Her input and vision were invaluable. She's also a lovely person.
Nancy Julius, January 2022
Michele possesses a seemingly magical ability to take images and a manuscript and transform them into a professional product; in this case, a non-fiction children’s picture book. Her years of experience have provided her with a keen eye for what grabs the attention of a book browser–from fresh cover designs (she will give you more than one to choose from) to highly original interior book design...
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Bruce Junvik, August 2021
By nature, I am a diligent planner and researcher so when I wrote my first manuscript and started dipping my toes into the world of self-publishing I started doing my homework. I read a lot of articles about how to be a successful self-publisher, the common pitfalls, and the proper order of operations. I was learning a lot but the more I learned the more I realized how much I didn't know. I ...
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Dan Allbaugh, February 2021
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