As you advance in your book journey, you’ll need to start making important decisions about illustrations and formatting. You might have come across terms like “illustrator” and “book designer,” but aren’t quite sure how they play a role in bringing your children’s book to life. In fact, many first-time authors wonder whether they need both professionals or just one.
There is a difference between an illustrator and a book designer, and if you’re working on publishing a book, you will need both. This article will cover the following:
- The Role of an Illustrator
- The Role of a Book Designer
- Do Illustrators & Book Designers Work Together?
- Finding an Illustrator
- Finding a Book Designer
The Role of an Illustrator
An illustrator is someone who creates visual elements to bring your story to life.
Their Responsibilities:
Design the Illustrations: They create all the visual elements, such as characters and scenes to accompany your text.
Provide a Storyboard: This is a visual outline of your book to show you what each page of your book is going to look like.
Illustrate the Front and Back Covers: This is important because many people do judge a book by its cover. Pro tip? Ask your illustrator for three options.
Transfer Art to Book Designer: The illustrator will be responsible for delivering the art to the book designer and making sure it meets the technical requirements.
The Role of a Book Designer
A book designer is someone who, well, designs books! But what does that really mean and what do they actually do? A book designer brings together all the visual elements and text, ensuring your book not only looks great and reads smoothly but is also prepared for successful printing.
Their Responsibilities:
Arrange Layout: They will design an appealing and readable layout for the book.
Decide on Font: They decide on the exact font for your book.
Add Page Numbers: Book designers will add page numbers and may even give them a fun design. (Note: In a picture book, you don’t have to add page numbers—it’s up to you!)
Take Care of Bleeds and Margins: Your designer will ensure that the illustrations fit within the guidelines of each page. (This is essential for successful printing.)
Follow Printer Requirements: Your book designer will ensure that files are print-ready by formatting them correctly and saving them on an external drive.
Do Illustrators & Book Designers Work Together?
Absolutely! I recommend that your illustrator and book designer meet early on, as they will need to work together to format your book and make sure it meets printing requirements. Effective communication between the two will help move along the progression of your book effortlessly.
Finding an Illustrator
To find the right illustrator for your book:
- Look at Other Children’s Books: One of the best ways to find an illustrator is by looking at other books. Illustrators will be listed on the book’s cover, so reach out and see if they are interested in more work.
- Review Portfolios: Ask your illustrator to see their previous work so you can get a feel if their style matches your vision.
- Sign a Contract: Clearly outline your expectations, involvement level, and the number of revisions allowed. Ensure there is a clause for late work and termination.
- Work-for-Hire Arrangement: Consider a work-for-hire agreement to retain ownership of the illustrations. This will be beneficial for marketing and other uses.
Pro Tip: Look for illustrators through agencies, post-secondary schools, or established children's books. Costs usually range between $3,000 to $12,000.
Finding a Book Designer
To locate a book designer:
- Ask Your Printer: Many printers will already have book designers in mind who they have previously worked with and recommend.
- Ask Your Illustrator: Ask your illustrator who they have worked closely with in the past.
- Get Quotes: Ask for quotes to compare costs and services. I recommend getting at least three quotes and seeing what works for your budget.
Pro Tip: Remember, every book designer is a graphic designer, but not every graphic designer is a book designer. The terms are often used interchangeably, so it’s best to ensure that your designer has book experience when hiring.
Imagine your illustrator as an actor, bringing the story to life with their unique flair, while a book designer is the stage director—carefully orchestrating the scenes and arranging all the elements. Both your illustrator and book designer will be critical to your book publishing process. The key is that they work in harmony to turn your vision into a successful, finished product.If you’ve been dreaming about writing a children’s book, but you aren’t sure about how to do it ‘right,’ you are not alone. Children’s Book Masterclass offers a step-by-step guide that will show you exactly how to draft, write, design, publish, and market a bestselling children’s book.
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Cheering you on with each step forward!
FAQs
Can a book designer and illustrator be the same person?
Technically yes. But usually, no. Your illustrator creates the art for your book, while the book designer assembles the book (e.g., inserts text, recommends fonts, designs spacing, adds page numbers, etc.) Check out our blog about the book designer’s role here.
Do you have any recommended resources for book designers?
When searching for a book designer, consider using LinkedIn and Facebook groups for recommendations, looking at online portfolios, or contacting local design agencies. For specific recommendations, our Children’s Book Masterclass offers options to fit various price points and needs.