Nikki Ellis - Designer
Experienced senior book designer, specialising in non-fiction. 12+ years designing for big publishing houses worldwide, including Chronicle.
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Overview
I am a graphic designer specialising in book design and art direction. I have over 12 years experience in the publishing industry, creating books for companies such as Chronicle, Quadrille and Hardie Grant Publishing.
I create striking covers and interiors page layouts for non fiction and illustrated books on a range of subjects including cookery, craft, fashion, wellbeing and humour.
The variety in the genres of the books I've worked on over the years, have ensured I don't have a formulaic design and I don't use the same font over and over again. Each one of my covers and interiors is bespoke, adapting to the brief and target audience. I have a keen eye for international design too, ensuring the vast majority of the books I design have been sold to international publishers all over the world and the design works successfully for the translated text.
I regularly commission a wide range of illustrators and photographers to collaborate on projects to ensure we create something unique. I have worked with some of the industries finest photographers in my capacity as an art director, assembling creative teams and providing moodboards with my vision.
Please get in touch if you would like to collaborate and create something special!
PLEASE NOTE: I am just returning from maternity leave so can only accommodate requests at the moment with longer lead times as I am phasing back my return to work. Thank you for your understanding
I create striking covers and interiors page layouts for non fiction and illustrated books on a range of subjects including cookery, craft, fashion, wellbeing and humour.
The variety in the genres of the books I've worked on over the years, have ensured I don't have a formulaic design and I don't use the same font over and over again. Each one of my covers and interiors is bespoke, adapting to the brief and target audience. I have a keen eye for international design too, ensuring the vast majority of the books I design have been sold to international publishers all over the world and the design works successfully for the translated text.
I regularly commission a wide range of illustrators and photographers to collaborate on projects to ensure we create something unique. I have worked with some of the industries finest photographers in my capacity as an art director, assembling creative teams and providing moodboards with my vision.
Please get in touch if you would like to collaborate and create something special!
PLEASE NOTE: I am just returning from maternity leave so can only accommodate requests at the moment with longer lead times as I am phasing back my return to work. Thank you for your understanding
Services
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Design
DIY & Crafts
Fashion & Textiles
Home & Garden
Nature
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Certifications
- MDes in Typography and Graphic Communication from Reading University
Awards
- British Book Design and Production Awards Finalist
- Stationer's Award for Excellence
Work experience
Book Designer, Typographer and Art Director
Self-employed
September, 2019
–
Present
(over 3 years)
Origination and creation of book covers and interiors for publishing houses and self-publishers.
Senior Designer
Quadrille Publishing
August, 2007
–
March, 2020
(over 12 years)
Starting as a design assistant in 2007. Worked up to senior designer level, in charge of project managing and designing a range of varied non fiction books each season.
Portfolio (10 selected works)
Murder Most Florid
Dr. Mark Spencer
Time Off: A Practical Guide to Building Your Rest Ethic and Finding Success Without the Stress
Fitch, John, Frenzel, Max, Suzuki, Mariya
The Wicked Baker: Cakes and treats to die for
Garcia, Helena
Leaf is a celebration of edible leaves in all their versatility. Purely in terms of flavor they offer immense variety – bitterness, pungency, pepper, citrus, sweetness. And visually leaves are a riot of color and texture – from the palest shades of white and yellow, through to the deepest, darkest greens, via rich purples, reds and pinks. Leaves can be tightly furled torpedoes or bullets, flop... read more
Most of us buy the same ingredients week in, week out, and cook the same old recipes. Cookery writer Claire Thomson wants to encourage people to ditch the boring chicken stir-fry and the all-too-predictable spaghetti, and enliven their cooking and eating.Claire takes our 10 favorite ingredients and reinvents them as modern classics. With sections on chicken, tomatoes, eggs, ground meat, pasta,... read more
Be More Cat
Alison Davies
Embrace your inner cat with this light-hearted self-help book. From living in the moment, trusting your sixth-sense instincts, to taking cat naps and even going feral, this book will show you how to benefit by unleashing your innate cattitude. Cats' ability to seize the day makes them excellent examples of how to make the most of every moment; whether it's playing an impromptu game of chase th... read more
Porridge
Kravi, Anni
Porridge is the new food trend on the block. It has become the ultimate canvas for creating imaginative, healthy recipes, packed full of flavour and topped with an abundance of superfoods. Here are over 50 recipes which take inspiration from around the world, using oats, quinoa, amaranth, raw buckwheat, bulgur wheat, rice and spelt. The chapters are broken down into mylk (almond milk and cocon... read more
The Gingerbread Kama Sutra: 25 mind-blowing bakes
Paige, Patti
Superstitions have captured our imaginations for centuries but we are often unaware of where they came from and why. In her new book Superstition, Sally Coulthard explores the history and background of 50 of these fascinating cultural behaviours, how they affected our everyday, and how many of these beliefs still permeate modern life. From opening umbrellas indoors to not putting new shoes on ... read more
Nikki has 18 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This is the second time I have worked with Nikki. She is an excellent designer, but also patient and kind. Thanks ever so much!
Chris Warren, April 2022
Nikki is a joy to work with.
Steven S. Winn, October 2021
The cover that Nikki has designed looks fab. It's simple, clean and effective, she's done a really great job. This project wasn't without its challenges as we played around within the colour limitations of printing through KDP, but Nikki rose to the task, and I appreciate her accommodating all my colour requests.
Tony W, April 2021
Nikki was extremely professional when it came to communication, knowledge, and most importantly her quality of work. She was easy to work with and very enthusiastic about our project. I will definitely hire Nikki again for my next book!
Audrey Dunham, February 2021
Reply from Nikki Ellis
I've really enjoyed working with Nikki. She intuitively came up with a selection of good designs based on my initial ideas, which she's worked up to a cover I'm really pleased with. I can confidently put my book out into the world now. Her friendly and helpful approach made the process easier for me as this is my first time publishing a book. I would definitely recommend her and would use her a...
Read more
Liz Pearson Mann, September 2020
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