Nicole Lecht

Nicole Lecht – Designer

Designer creating attractive, smart, and inviting covers for over a decade.

Overview

Hello!
I’m a graphic designer specializing in book design. I have a BFA in illustration and graphic design from the State University of New York at Buffalo. I have been a professional designer and maker for over twenty years. Over the course of my career as an in-house designer I perfected my technical skills and gained intimate knowledge of the publishing industry. Within that role, I designed and produced the covers and jackets of both nonfiction and fiction trade books.

Now I've been creating covers independently for about 5 years. Freelancing under my own name gives me the flexibility to work with a broader array of publishers and authors, and I am eager for the opportunity to work with new organizations and individuals.
I specialize in adult and YA fiction, and dabble in SciFi and non-fiction as well. Don't let the "I specialize in" category in my profile fool you, I have a wide range of experience.

A book’s cover is what offers “curb appeal” for the stories that are housed inside. It needs to be attractive, smart, and inviting. To that end, design work is most effective when the artist knows and understands her audience. Given my experience designing books on a wide range of topics and genres, I am able to tailor my cover art to meet the needs of readers who vary in both age and interest.

Coming from a long line of craftsmen and craftswomen, I believe in the quality of handmade and precision work—whether it is digital or physical. I’m also a nature freak who loves animals, organization, and patterns. And I am very much inspired by Scandinavian design, folk art, and minimalism.

Lets work together! Feel free to contact me for my rates.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History True Crime
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense Young Adult
Languages
English
Certifications
  • BFA concentration in Graphic Design and Illustration. State University of New York at Buffalo

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2017 — Present

Experience designing and art directing non-fiction trade, fiction trade including general fiction, mystery, thriller, science fiction and young adult. Technical skills include typography, illustration, image sourcing, building covers, dust jackets, and mechanicals.

Prometheus Books

Sep, 2005 — May, 2019 (over 13 years)

Design covers and mechanicals for Prometheus Books adult nonfiction as well as mystery/thriller fiction for Seventh Street Books and science fiction and young adult fiction for PYR. Responsible for approximately fourty book projects per year. Other responsibilites include interior art adjustments and layout; photo researching and adjusting; Art Direction to photographers and illustrators to meet pressing deadlines. Collaboration with editers to meet marketing needs.

Nicole has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lisa T.

Lisa T.

Oct, 2023

Nicole was not only professional, responsive, and patient with me, but she delivered a wonderful cover for my debut novel. I'd love to work with her again on future novels.
Mark B.

Mark B.

Mar, 2021

Amazing! She was able to design exactly what I invisioned.
Jim C.

Jim C.

Oct, 2020

Nicole is a pleasure to work with. She helped me work through my inexperience to define parameters she needed. End product is amazing and I'm proud to have it be my reader's first experience of my story. Communicates just enough, offers and accepts direction like a professional. I will be seeking her out next time around, for sure.
Nicole L.
Thank you! It was my pleasure!
Nathan S.

Nathan S.

Jun, 2020

Nicole was excellent. Her cover design expertly crystallized the themes and images I wanted to present - though she knew better than I what images to use and how to use them. Her work was always on time and she was very patient with my lack of knowledge and many questions as a first-time self-publisher. I highly recommend working with Nicole.

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