Overview
I’ve been a graphic designer for over 20 years, with experience in the book publishing industry working on children’s library books, trade fiction titles, classroom reading and grammar programmes, professional titles and digital teaching platform design. Work for the publishing industry primarily includes book cover design and interior design of fiction, non-fiction and educational titles.I can take a brief, story outline or full manuscript and design cover options that reflect the content and style of the story. For non-fiction work I can develop a design style and that works for your audience. I will work from brief to final artwork files ready for print or ebook formats and offer clear concise communication throughout the design process.I have worked for one of the largest publishers in the U.S. market for 14 years producing books on diverse subjects including Art, Design, Life Sciences, Politics, Economics, Literature, Science, History and Graphic Novels. I recently designed and branded a series of No-Nonsense books for Raintree publishers. That series has become the company's biggest selling product with over a million pounds of sales. As well as design skills, I also have extensive experience of picture research and commissioning illustrators.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Children’s Non-Fiction
Life Sciences
Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Languages
English
Certifications
- HND Graphic Design
Work experience
Self-employed
Jul, 2017 —
Present
Freelance design services primarily aimed at working with the book publishing industry, including cover and book layout design, packaging, typesetting, sales and marketing materials and brand identity.
Capstone Global Library
Oct, 2002 —
Jun, 2017
(over 14 years)
Capstone Global Library (Raintree Publishing) produces non-fiction and fiction children’s library, classroom and trade books. As Senior Designer I was responsible for co-ordinating the design and production from initial sample design, to page layout, and through to finished printed product in liaison with the editorial, photo research and production teams. My role also included line management of two designers, organising workloads, controlling department budgets and commissioning designers, photographers and illustrators. Most of the book series produced were international co-editions, which required co-operation with our American and Australian divisions within the production cycle.
Original cover and spread design was a key part of the role. It included initial sample design, working with publishing teams and managing the multi-stage approval process through to final print ready artwork. Project management was also required to manage the extensive publishing list, co-ordinating with editorial and picture research teams to guarantee deadlines. I was also involved in recent digital developments in the Classroom market, working on subscription-based learning platforms.
Sportline
Aug, 1999 —
Jul, 2002
(almost 3 years)
As Brand Designer I was involved in the design and production of marketing and promotional materials and oversaw the consistent use of the Head and Budweiser brands. Sportline was the distributor of Head sports equipment and licensee of luggage and outdoor footwear.
The core of my role was designing product brochures, leaflets, point-of-sale, advertising, copywriting and production of artwork for print and print-buying. Other responsibilities included product branding, such as badging and colour-way options on footwear and luggage ranges.
Prentice Hall Europe
Sep, 1995 —
Aug, 1999
(almost 4 years)
I joined book publisher, Prentice Hall Europe, as Publicity Assistant to design and produce promotional material. Responsible for the production of marketing material such as leaflets, catalogues, advertising, direct mail and point of sale, my role was multi-directional, requiring organisational and practical abilities. Working within a team and liaising with the book production department, the job also included print buying. It was a self-reliant role, but involved interaction and co-ordination with the marketing team and sales force. I was promoted to the role of Marketing Designer to work in the computer professional division of Prentice Hall to manage communication and marketing of the brand and its many imprints.
Portfolio
Part of a series that explores the interpretation of universal themes, this title discusses various aspects of landscapes and plants. It covers a range of media including photography, historical paintings, posters, sculpture, textiles and film.
A guide to systems of government and political movements. It explores the influence of key thinkers, leaders and movements. It includes a comprehensive section detailing ideas for further research.
Hardback textbook, ex-library book, minor signs of use (marks on cover), but pages are clean & unmarked. Prompt UK dispatch. All proceeds to Wakefield Hospice.
The Girl Who Breathed Fire An Age of Dragons is about to begin. The powerful creatures will return to rule the world once more, but this time will be different. This time they will have allies. Around the world, some young humans are making a strange discovery... read more
Superman: The Deadly Dream Machine ABRA KADABRA, a super-villain from the 64th century, has escaped from an alien prison and returned to Earth! Using a mind-control machine, this futuristic felon hopes to brainwash the entire planet into believing that he's th... read more
No Nonsense Spelling is a new complete spelling programme designed to meet the needs of the 2014 National Curriculum in a manageable way. Written by the Babcock LDP Primary Literacy team, the programme is easy to use, flexible and comprehensive, providing suff... read more
The Human Body When police are called to a house, they find three bodies. Are they dead, and has any crime been committed? This book looks at the topic of the human body to explain how our body systems work. It shows how medical and police investigators use th... read more
It's morning in Gotham but the sky is getting darker. The villainous Scarecrow has unleashed a great cloud of black fog, which covers the streets in shadows. He doesn't put up much of a fight when Batman comes to arrest him, but announces gleefully that he has... read more
My Smoky Bacon Crisp Obsession
Harry and Greta just love dessert. But Mrs. Maggot, the dastardly lunch lady, won't let them eat any. One day, Harry and Greta follow a trail of chocolate sauce into the school kitchen to find the sweet treats of their dreams . . . but they soon get more than ... read more
Baking Life of Amelie Day
Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age is a fascinating account of British history from a period that begins around 840,000 when hunter-gatherers were just beginning to use tools, up to 55BC when the Romans first arrived in Britain. The book des... read more
Twelve-year-old Annie is invited to Hexer Hall to work as a servant for the mysterious Lady Hexer. Carvings of snakes are everywhere and when Annie touches one, she travels back in time to when the Hall was a leper hospital, run by a sinister doctor with a col... read more
This series looks at the stories behind some of the most important and iconic designs since 1900. We look at the needs that prompted their design, the designers responsible for breaking boundariesand the technology that made them possible.
Richard has 8 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Virginia H.
Dec, 2019
Kate J.
Jul, 2019
M.G. R.
Apr, 2019
Cheryl R.
Apr, 2019
Zack L.
Mar, 2019
Sign up to read more reviews
Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Richard and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.
