Nicola Powling – Designer

Before becoming freelance in March 2021 I was Senior Cover Designer at DK (a non-fiction imprint of Penguin Random House). I worked on a broad range of subject matter including cookery art, craft, gardening, wellbeing, fitness, pregnancy and parenting. This experience has given me a good working knowledge of different market requirements.

While at DK I learned from the best creative technicians and have a broad knowledge of print production processes for special finishes.

I am experienced in art directing and commissioning photoshoots for covers with and without celebrity chefs such as, Marcus Wareing, Masterchef judges including Michel Roux Jr. and Monica Galetti. I also have a network of reliable food stylists, photographers, illustrators and retouching technicians.

I designed DK's "DIY: Know How with Show How" book cover which won best cover design at the 2006 British Book Design and Production Awards. My designs for The Beer Book and Animal were also shortlisted in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

I have been told that my calm, cheerful, creative response to a wide variety of tasks is impressive. I am very collaborative and enjoy working with authors, other creatives and production colleagues. I pride myself on my resilient approach to change requests on covers and working with me will be fun.

Freelancing will give me more freedom to experiment with drawing and painting. I also hope to develop my skills in design for children's publishing and fiction.

Career Overview: Over 30 years providing graphic design services in publishing including Heinemann Educational Books, Octopus Books, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, and DK

I obtained a BA Hons in Typography & Communication from University of Reading, UK