Tom Cole – Designer

With 15 years of experience as an illustrator, I bring a flexible approach and a very high level of ability to communicate ideas and create striking imagery. Over the years, I've worked extensively on children's picture books, with eight published titles, including the War Horse picture book in collaboration with author Michael Morpurgo. I have significant experience in book cover design for publishing houses, illustrating covers for some of the most well-loved classics as well as new and upcoming authors. My illustration work is hand-drawn in Photoshop or Procreate using a collection of custom brushes and textures I've developed over many years — I put particular emphasis on making work feel hand-rendered and human. Bold, rich colours, atmospheric environments, and a strong sense of drama and depth are at the heart of everything I make.

If you're looking for a cover that does more than just sit on a shelf — one that pulls a reader in and makes them feel something before they've read a single word — that's exactly the kind of challenge I love. I'm especially drawn to projects where there's a world to build or a mood to capture, and I'll always bring genuine enthusiasm to understanding your book and what makes it tick. My process is collaborative and straightforward: I like to get a thorough brief early on, work through thumbnail concepts together, and then develop the chosen direction with plenty of communication along the way. I'm passionate about environmental themes and the natural world, so if your book touches on those, even better — but honestly, a great story is a great story, and I'd love to hear about yours.