Shanie Cooper - Designer
Designing children's picture books for clients that include Flashlight Press (I Need My Monster), Apples & Honey (Big Sam), and more.
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Overview
I'm a graphic designer who specializes in children's picture book design. I design picture books for kids of all ages and have done both fiction and non-fiction picture books.
I work together with the author and the illustrator to create a final product that is professional, fun, easy to navigate, and cohesive. My goal is to create a synthesis between the pictures and the text, so that the final book feels like a unit, with the pictures and text interacting and visually supporting each other. To this end, I am involved with the illustrator starting from the sketching stage, making sure that the areas left for text placement make sense, both visually and in terms of the story's flow. After the illustrations are complete, I will work to find a font that complements both the tone of the story and the style of the illustration. The next step is laying out the text, which varies widely depending on the story. Sometimes we'll have text that dances around the characters on the page, varying sizes and ignoring baselines, and sometimes text will be more traditional, allowing the illustrations to take center stage. The final step is preparing the file for print. I have worked with printers all over the world, and have experience in most of the different printing types.
I have over 15 years of experience in the graphic design industry, and have been working in publishing for most of that time. I have worked with independent authors, editors, illustrators, and publishers including Flashlight Press (I Need My Monster, When a Dragon Moves In, Too Much Glue, and many more), Apples and Honey Press (Big Sam by Eric Kimmel, French Toast Sundays, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, and more), and Menucha Publishing, working on covers for easy reader chapter books for kids ages 7-11. I'm looking forward to working together!
TESTIMONIALS:
“This is my second time working with Shanie and at times I honestly did not know who was more concerned about my books’ cover images reflecting the true essence of my story – her or me. She’s a top notch talent who brings the passion of a dedicated fan into her process. I cannot overstate how rare and valuable that is.”
--A.C. Schneider, Independent Author
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Shanie Cooper on a regular basis for years and find her to be a terrific graphic designer. Shanie has designed many of our book covers, catalogs and ads. She merges great visual, creative, and technical skills with sensitivity for our target audiences, and we are privileged to count her as an important contributor to the face of our business.”
--Tzvi Mauer, Publisher, Urim Publications
“I’ve worked with Shanie Cooper for over fifteen years, and it’s been a complete pleasure. She is creative, has great talent at choosing fonts, enjoys exploring various layouts for our children’s books, takes direction wonderfully, and is blessed with endless patience. I highly recommend her graphic design skills.”
--Shari Greenspan, Editor, Flashlight Press
I work together with the author and the illustrator to create a final product that is professional, fun, easy to navigate, and cohesive. My goal is to create a synthesis between the pictures and the text, so that the final book feels like a unit, with the pictures and text interacting and visually supporting each other. To this end, I am involved with the illustrator starting from the sketching stage, making sure that the areas left for text placement make sense, both visually and in terms of the story's flow. After the illustrations are complete, I will work to find a font that complements both the tone of the story and the style of the illustration. The next step is laying out the text, which varies widely depending on the story. Sometimes we'll have text that dances around the characters on the page, varying sizes and ignoring baselines, and sometimes text will be more traditional, allowing the illustrations to take center stage. The final step is preparing the file for print. I have worked with printers all over the world, and have experience in most of the different printing types.
I have over 15 years of experience in the graphic design industry, and have been working in publishing for most of that time. I have worked with independent authors, editors, illustrators, and publishers including Flashlight Press (I Need My Monster, When a Dragon Moves In, Too Much Glue, and many more), Apples and Honey Press (Big Sam by Eric Kimmel, French Toast Sundays, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, and more), and Menucha Publishing, working on covers for easy reader chapter books for kids ages 7-11. I'm looking forward to working together!
TESTIMONIALS:
“This is my second time working with Shanie and at times I honestly did not know who was more concerned about my books’ cover images reflecting the true essence of my story – her or me. She’s a top notch talent who brings the passion of a dedicated fan into her process. I cannot overstate how rare and valuable that is.”
--A.C. Schneider, Independent Author
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Shanie Cooper on a regular basis for years and find her to be a terrific graphic designer. Shanie has designed many of our book covers, catalogs and ads. She merges great visual, creative, and technical skills with sensitivity for our target audiences, and we are privileged to count her as an important contributor to the face of our business.”
--Tzvi Mauer, Publisher, Urim Publications
“I’ve worked with Shanie Cooper for over fifteen years, and it’s been a complete pleasure. She is creative, has great talent at choosing fonts, enjoys exploring various layouts for our children’s books, takes direction wonderfully, and is blessed with endless patience. I highly recommend her graphic design skills.”
--Shari Greenspan, Editor, Flashlight Press
Services
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Certifications
- Associate's Degree
Work experience
Creative Director
Self-employed
October, 2001
–
Present
(about 20 years)
I have been designing book covers and children's books since I started my company 16 years ago. I work with several publishers (Urim Publications, Devora Press, Menucha Publishing, Apples and Honey Press, Gefen Publications), producing covers and laying out children's books, and I also work with independent authors. For covers, I work with the authors to create a visual representation of the soul of their book. For children's books, I usually work together with the editor and/or author and illustrator from the beginning, providing insight into how the illustration relates to the story, ensuring the illustrator leaves room for text in places that make sense in the story, choosing fonts, and then laying out the book in a way that creates harmony between the pictures and the text. I also have done other graphic work, including web design, branding, and different types of printed materials, including brochures, ads, posters, catalogs, trade show booths, and more.
Graphic Designer
Flashlight Press
October, 2002
–
Present
(about 19 years)
I have designed all of Flashlight's children's books - both cover and layout - as well as all their other marketing materials, including their website, bookmarks, posters, rollups, catalogs, and ads. I work together with the editor to produce beautiful picture books that stand out.
Portfolio (13 selected works)
I Need My Monster
Amanda Noll
This book is specially designed in Amazon's fixed-layout KF8 format with region magnification. Double-tap on an area of text to zoom and read. A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over fear, appeals to a child’s love for creatures both alarming and absurd, and glorifies the scope of a child’s imagin... read more
Too Much Glue
Jason Lefebvre
Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad a... read more
When a Dragon Moves In
Jodi Moore
This book is specially designed in Amazon's fixed-layout KF8 format with region magnification. Double-tap on an area of text to zoom and read. On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel, and imagination, and builds a perfect sand castle. Right away, a dragon moves in. The boy decides to befriend his dragon and they spend time roaming the shore, flying a kite, bravin... read more
Big Sam: A Rosh Hashanah Tall Tale
Eric A. Kimmel
How does Big Sam make a GIANT-sized challah for Rosh Hashanah?He digs an enormous hole in the ground to use as a mixing bowl. (It's still there today we call it the Grand Canyon.)He adds mountains of flour, thousands of eggs, and other good things.He whittles a massive California redwood tree into a mixing spoon. He flattens the hills of West Texas as he kneads the dough. And he bakes it insid... read more
French Toast Sundays
Gloria Spielman
When Mina s beloved Grandma dies, nothing feels right anymore.People come to visit. Mina just hides up in the big old oak tree. But the stories she hears about Grandma bring her slowly back down until at last Mina feels ready to smile again.
Wave Mandate
A.C. Schneider
This is undoubtedly the biggest:…day of Kelerin's life: A warrior/scholar from the prestigious all-boys Academy on Osmos, he’ll be facing off against his arch rival in what many are already calling the ‘duel of the year.’…feeling Analel's ever had: A telepathic ascetic from the Academy's all-girls sister seminary, she’s suddenly sharing a psychic connection with the boy Academic, Kelerin, in a... read more
From Olives to Olive Oil
Meish Goldish
How is olive oil made? Follow its amazing journey from an olive growing on a tree to the oil we use to light our menorahs.
The Free and the Brave
Tovah S. Yavin
"Those British are coming this way. Eight thousand troops." "Eight thousand?" Jacob whispered. Jeremiah nodded. "They're pouring into Washington from all directions." "At least we have our Fencibles." Jacob stood up straighter speaking of the local militia. "They could push back those Red Coats." It's the summer of 1814. The British are advancing on Baltimore, where Jacob Franks and his family... read more
QUEEN OF JIHAD
A.C. Schneider
He's coming to save her, but she might try to kill him.When the teenage daughter of a U.S. Congresswoman falls under the influence of an online recruiter from a radical new terror organization, the Senator's only hope lies with Israeli Special Forces operator, Boaz Stone.The point man in an elite, experimental unit called the 670, it's Stone's job to get himself captured, locate other abducted... read more
How It's Made: Hanukkah Menorah
Allison Ofanansky
How is a menorah made? Why does it have nine branches? What is Hanukkah, anyway? Meet the people who make different menorahs, and find out how an ancient Jewish tradition is celebrated. What are the different elements that make a menorah? When do we light it? What blessings do we say, and how does it all fit in with the miracle of Hanukkah? Make and decorate your own menorah, roll candles, and... read more
From Wheat to Challah
Meish Goldish
Where does challah come from? Follow its amazing journey from a kernel of wheat to the delicious bread we eat on Shabbos.
Elisa in the Middle
Johanna Hurwitz, Heather Maione
Elisa Michaels is just trying to help... Elisa has a new house, she's starting a new year in school, and she has a new baby brother. She's in the middle of her family now, and, just like in a sandwich, Elisa knows the middle is best. Elisa wants to help her older brother, Russell, catch up on his homework and give his fish a bubble bath. Why is everyone upset with her? She was just trying to h... read more
Sarah Builds a school
ANN D. KOFFSKY, Leslie Ginsparg Klein
Sarah Schenirer lived in Kraków, Poland. When she was growing up, there were no Jewish schools for girls. Sarah had a dream. She wanted to start her very own school. But the girls weren't interested. What could Sarah do? How would she succeed? Sarah Builds a School tells the inspiring story of a great woman who changed the face of Jewish education for girls in the last century. Children will l... read more
Shanie has 8 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I'm very happy I picked Shanie Cooper as my book designer . There's much more to designing a book than one can imagine ! But Shanie made me feel that she was interested in making it just right for me as well as adding creative ideas of her own .
Shanie has always responded, and been by my side, with all my concerns and questions in a timely and pleasant manner , as well as completing the job ...
Read more
Tomi Saga, August 2021
Shanie was amazing. When the project began, I gave her illustrations for a bilingual book of idioms for children (and parents). She helped me decide the logical order for them, according to concepts and colors. The illustrations also presented also had re-sizing challenges. In addition, I needed help with logistics of presenting wording in two languages that was clear but not cluttered. ...
Read more
Lauren Dundes, June 2021
Reply from Shanie Cooper
My experience with Shanie has been excellent! She is highly creative, smart, and patient. I wrote and illustrated my book, and I could not expect a better interior design for my work. Shanie took my picture book to a different level, and I am thrilled with the results. I strongly recommend her. She is also very helpful and responsive, and I am looking forward to working with her on my next book.
Alicia Carbo-Guha, March 2021
Shanie gets an A+++!! This was my first book and she not only got my design in order but guided me through the process to get to the finished product. She not only got my book into publishing condition but made my story better! Extremely responsive and knowledgeable on the self-publishing process. I hope to work with her again. Highest recommendation!!
john dunn, February 2021
Reply from Shanie Cooper
I had an excellent experience working with Shanie. She was patient with me as I dealt with my first novel project. She was helpful and encouraging all the way through. She went the extra miles to work with my publisher by getting the images to her as well as made an effort to contact my representative personally.
Ginger Summers, November 2020
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