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 will be available to start new projects in December 2024. (No AI)


With over 25 years of experience illustrating books, I have built up a varied folio of work that can be adapted to suit any type of 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 lift the marketability of the book to a new level.


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
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
The Day I Had a Dinosaur

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
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
Big Beach BBQ

Taylor, Carly

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
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

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 17 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Margaret K.

Margaret K.

Oct, 2024

Vaughan is the best. Always gets right back to me if I have questions. His illustrations are top notch. I could not have done this without him! I have self published 4 children’s books and cannot imagine anyone else doing the design and illustrations!
Vaughan D.
Your stories are always so much fun, I love working with you to bring them to life.
Phill S.

Phill S.

Aug, 2024

I would highly recommend Vaughan Duck to anyone looking for a talented picture book with a detailed, comedic and amusing style. His illustrations appeal to children and adults. Vaughan always communicated with me in a professional and timely fashion. He always asked for feedback and acted on my requests. My collaboration with Vaughan was a very positive experience and my resulting picture has b...
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Vaughan D.
Thank you. It was a joy to bring your lovely story to life.
Lori R.

Lori R.

Jun, 2024

"Freckles' Best Ribbit" is the second book I have enjoyed working on with Vaughan. I couldn't be happier. The characters are adorable, and the attention to detail and humorous antics in the background really brings the story to life. Vaughan is a great partner not only in the illustration collaboration but also with the story. He helped tweak some lines and offered ideas to improve the story's...
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Jeff and Ashley W.

Jeff and Ashley W.

Jan, 2024

Vaughan is an exceptional illustrator and book designer. This was our second time working with him and he blew us away once again with his amazing illustrations, his creative ideas, and his extensive knowledge. He is such a joy to work with as well, completely professional and kind. We highly recommend Vaughan, he is top of the line!
Vaughan D.
Always a pleasure working with you. Your stories are so much fun.
Margaret K.

Margaret K.

Oct, 2023

Vaughan is an amazing, talented illustrator who is professional and a pleasure to work with. He has illustrated all three of my children’s books and I am always excited to see what he will come up with, His drawings have made my stories do much better and I can't imagine using anyone else! He is the best!
Vaughan D.
I love working on your stories. They are full of interesting characters and so much fun. It makes my job as an illustrator easy.

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