Vaughan Duck

Vaughan Duck – Designer

Children's Book Illustrator with trade and educational publishing experience. Quirky style, perfect for fun picture books and chapter books.

Overview

Please note: I would love to work on every single project, but it takes, on average, 4 months to illustrate a picture book, so places are limited.

I am happy to quote on projects, but I won't be available to start new projects until APRIL 2027.

NO AI: Writing a story is not just about finding the right words; it involves a personal journey of researching, crafting, and editing those words. The process of writing and rewriting helps to develop your talent. I do not use AI to create my illustrations, and I do not collaborate with writers who use AI to develop their stories.

With over 25 years of experience illustrating books, I have built up a varied folio of work that can be adapted to suit any project. Published work includes picture books, chapter books, textbooks, craft books, and non-fiction titles. My passion is developing quality products for children. I live and work in Australia, but have clients in the UK, US, and China. I would love to work with you.

Two books I completed through Reedsy collaborations have been picked up by The Barbara Bush Literary Foundation to be distributed to underprivileged schools in Texas. 'The Day I Had a Bulldozer' and 'The Day I Had a Dinosaur.'

I love what I do, drawing pictures to delight children. Let me bring your story to life.

I started strong, being short-listed for the Lothian Centenary Children's Picture Book Award (AUS). Since then, I have contributed cartoons and illustrations to over 300 book projects.

Did I mention I love what I do?

If you have a story that needs illustrating, contact me for a quote and a chat over a virtual coffee! I will give honest feedback if I don't think the story is ready, and I will only work on manuscripts I connect with.

I have a fresh, marketable style and a professional attitude with heaps of experience developing projects for commercial success.

It's your text, but teaming up with the right illustrator can elevate the book's marketability.

Sparkling text + Stunning pictures = Awesome Picture book.

I look forward to working with you soon,

Vaughan

Services
Fiction
Humor & Comedy Middle Grade Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Short-listed for Lothian Centenary Children's Book Award
  • Winner of 2025 SCBWI Spark Award for excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route.
  • 2026 Readers Favorites Silver Medal for 'Best chef in Town, and Bronze Medal for 'What Would You Do'
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 1990 — Present
I work as a freelance illustrator for a number of publishing companies. My work includes picture books, chapter books, text books, craft books and non-fiction books for children. I have worked on over 350 titles.

Portfolio

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Joey Learns Not to Bite

Slusarski, Danielle

Little Learners Big Lessons Press

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
The Day I Had a Spaceship

Wall, Ashley

MamaBear Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
What Would You Do?

Willie, CK

Cheryl Kirby

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
The Day I Had a Fire Truck

Wall, Ashley

Mamabear Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Day I Had a Dinosaur

Wall, Ashley

MamaBear Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Five Different Boo-Boos: On 5 Different Days

Keefe, Maggie

Maggie Keefe

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
The Adventures of Nathan's Lawns and Gardens

Nathan Stafford

Nathan's Lawns & Gardens AU Pty Limited

Nathan and Turbo have tidied a lot of lawns, but never a Haunted Jungle!Nathan and his trusty mower, Turbo, want to help their neighbour, Nanny Nancy, but hers is no ordinary overgrown lawn, i... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
The Day I Had a Zoo

Wall, Ashley

Mamabear Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Big Beach BBQ

Taylor, Carly

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Day I Had a Bulldozer

Ashley Wall

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Helpful Harry The Tale of a Tongue

Nowicki, Chantelle

Chantelle Nowicki

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Last Cookie in the Universe

Lefevre, Kent A

Square Plate Media

Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Laugh Lines: A Collection of Silly Poems for Silly Seniors

Keefe, Maggie

Maggie Keefe

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Ocean is just Monster Soup

Lefevre, Kent A

Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Off to School in my Wheelie Chair

McIver, Charlene

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
No Quit!

Lorek, Craig

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Pretty Pages

Rachman, Amit

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
One Little Voice: Silly Poems for Silly Kids

Keefe, Maggie

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration
Illustration
Puberty Book

Wendy Darvill

In straightforward yet humorous language, Wendy Darvill and Kelsey Powell discuss the changes that happen at puberty. This book is a guide for children and teenagers, full of up-to-date inform... read more
Illustration

Vaughan has 27 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Safari T.

Safari T.

Oct, 2026

Vaughan was absolutely outstanding. He stepped in at very short notice to rescue my illustrated children’s book project after another designer was unable to complete the work. The book was already partly formatted, with existing files, corrections, and layout decisions to work through, so it was...
Read more
Vaughan D.
Thank you, Safari, for being so patient as I sorted out where the previous designer had left everything. We got there in the end. It was a fun story and an interesting layout to work with.
Danielle S.

Danielle S.

Jun, 2026

Vaughan was the best illustrator I could have asked for, especially as a first-time author. From start to finish, he was patient, helpful, professional, and incredibly timely with every milestone. What impressed me most was his ability to take my vision and truly bring it to life. He paid close ...
Read more
Vaughan D.
It all starts with a great story. Thank you for trusting me with yours. I can't wait to see what the character does next.
Sara C.

Sara C.

May, 2026

I absolutely loved working with Vaughan! He is an obvious veteran in the industry and was extremely professional and insightful. He has a serious talent for capturing humor in his work. If I could sing, I would sing his praises down every sidewalk. Since I can't sing, they will have to live here....
Read more
Vaughan D.
I enjoyed working with you on your imaginative story. I hope we get the chance to develop it further. Good luck with finding a home to take your story to the masses.
Mr. S.

Mr. S.

Apr, 2026

Vaughan was great to work with for my small project. His thoughts/ideas made a difference, and he was reasonably priced.
Vaughan D.
Thank you. It is great to work with someone who strives for quality.
Margaret K.

Margaret K.

Nov, 2025

This is the sixth book Vaughan Duck has illustrated and formatted for me. He is the absolute best! His illustrations are so creative and professional. I recommend him highly and can't imagine using anyone else!
Vaughan D.
Book six! Wow, time flies when authors allow me to work with them on such fun stories.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Vaughan and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Most recent contributions

How do you estimate how long a project will take?

Experience is the key factor I use to determine how long a project will take. I have worked on hundreds of book projects and maintain detailed timesheets for each one. While every project is unique, whether I'm illustrating a picture book or designing a cover, I can refer back to similar projects...
Read more

How do you make sure that a freelancing opportunity is legit?

I never quote without talking to the client first! When I receive a request to quote on a project, my first step is to ask the client a few questions about their project. I’m often surprised at how many clients do not respond, which raises a red flag for me, leading me to typically decline to pr...
Read more

How do you tailor your profile on Reedsy to attract your ideal clients?

I’m an illustrator, so my advice may differ from what an editor would suggest, but the principles remain the same. Avoid confusing your profile by including everything you’ve done. If you want to edit or illustrate picture books, then focus solely on showcasing that specific work. I have illust...
Read more

Professionals similar to Vaughan

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Anne H.

I am a freelance illustrator from Denmark with a fresh, fun, and colorful style. I create vibrant characters for children’s books ✨

Viborg, Denmark

100% reply rate

View profile

Natalia L.

I am a children’s book Illustrator who thrives on bringing ideas to life through captivating visuals. No AI used !

Lyon, France

95% reply rate

View profile

Olena Z.

Children’s book illustrator & designer creating expressive characters with humour, emotion and storytelling through illustration and covers.

Walkenried, Germany

100% reply rate

View profile