Vita Lane

Vita Lane – Designer

Book designer (covers, interiors) • Typesetter • Illustrator • Art Director • Graphic Designer • obsessed with food, dogs, and yoga.

Overview

I’m an experienced book designer and illustrator who understands that design is both an art and a science, and that every project begins with listening and research. I take complex information and present it in a clear and easy to digest way that honors the voice of the author and their work while maintaining the desired aesthetic. I believe in the power and importance of education, literature, and art. An avid note-taker and question-asker with an eye for detail, I’m proactive, aim to please, and revel in finding the right solution.

I live on the tiny and beautiful seacoast of New Hampshire. I practice and teach yoga. I’m left-handed but use righty scissors because they work better. I have a freckle in my left eye. And I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order. Go ahead, test me.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Education & Reference
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • 2020 Lupine Honor Award
  • 2021 Northern Lights Book Award
  • First Place, The New England Book Show 2020, Professional Non-illustrated category

Work experience

Self-employed

Nov, 2002 — Present
Provides services for clients in publishing, education, manufacturing, and small businesses. Services include: book design, editorial design, typesetting, logos, branding and marketing design (print, social, web), stationery design, art direction, illustration, storyboarding, consumer goods design, photography, and more.

Curriculum Associates

Aug, 2023 — Dec, 2025 (over 2 years)
Provided design, art direction, and typesetting for new core literacy program Magnetic Literacy, Grades K–6, within a large collaborative team, from concept through final production. Ideated and developed framework, design system, and aesthetic for Student Books and Teacher's Guides. Created Student Book interior pages: Designed engaging layouts for lessons and texts; Implemented product stylesheet guidelines throughout all pages, ensuring consistency and meeting accessibility standards. Art directed freelance illustrators. Collaborated with editors, photo and art buyers, designers, production, and outside vendors. Presented designs to and implemented feedback from stakeholders. Ideated and developed the innovative cover design for entire program, closely art directing a team of freelance illustrators

Heinemann Publishing, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Feb, 2018 — Dec, 2022 (almost 5 years)
Created original designs for book covers and interiors that were highly creative, content-responsive, market-appropriate, and in line with the Heinemann brand while collaborating with key stakeholders (author, publisher, editor, marketing) to develop the individual look-and-feel for each title and its online resource components. Provided typesetting, illustration, photography, image research and editing. Oversaw the design and routing of cover mechanicals and interiors, from concept to final production. Adhered to schedule, making up for lost time when necessary. Hired, art directed, and managed outside designers, typesetters, and illustrators. Prepared approved files for first printing and reprints. Designed print and digital marketing materials.

Kleinfeld Paper

Aug, 2011 — Dec, 2017 (over 6 years)
Designed wedding stationery for fine printing (engraving, letterpress, foil stamping, digital, and more), and collaborated with pre-press team from concept through production. Designed and implemented all marketing materials including print ads, digital ads, social media and blog content, website design, email campaigns, B2B communications, posters, postcards, in-store signage, catalogs, sell sheets, brochures, packaging, and tradeshow collateral. Shot product photography, and managed and directed outside photographer on additional photo shoots. Directed freelance designers and illustrators and created design-process manual. Researched and forecasted trends.

Momenta

Sep, 2005 — Aug, 2011 (almost 6 years)
Designed papergood products including scrapbooking materials, stationery, stickers, and stencils, as well as marketing materials of catalogs, sell sheets, trade-show signage and product packaging.

Vita has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Gibran J.

Gibran J.

May, 2023

Pinned
It has been the biggest pleasure to work with Vita. Her work has surpassed all of our expectations (by a long shot). Her designs are creative, original, and customized to exactly what you're looking for as a client. We are thrilled with what she has created for us. Her work has added so much val...
Read more
Vita L.
Thank you so much, Emily and Gibran! It's been a sincere pleasure to meet you and an honor to collaborate on your project and help out with the very important work that you do. I look forward to wo...
Read more

Professionals similar to Vita

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

Nicola Robson

Nicola R.

Children’s picture book illustrator specialising in hand-drawn expressive, story-driven artwork full of warmth, movement, and colour.

Southport, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Sabrina Pohle

Sabrina P.

Freelance Illustrator, specializing in Children's books and non-fiction subjects.

Hamburg, Germany

89% reply rate

View profile
Mark Butcher

Mark B.

A skilled children's books designer, I've worked on Where's Wally?, graphic novels, fiction, humour, novelty, activity and picture books.

Manchester, UK

100% reply rate

View profile