Books
Book Illustration & Design
I’m passionate about reading and creating artwork that honors each author’s unique voice. Whether you're an author unveiling a debut release or a bookshop or small business producing a collector’s editions or bookish merch for devoted fans, I offer detailed, story-driven illustration and design tailored to your vision for the genre, themes, and audience.
A Process Designed for You
Each book design project comes with access to a custom client portal—your one-stop space for contracts, invoices, timelines, file deliveries, and feedback forms. It’s tailored to work around your schedule, your style of communication, and the format your printer needs, so you never feel lost in the process. Whether we’re creating one beautiful edition or collaborating on a series, the goal is a process that feels clear, personal, and (dare I say) enjoyable.
Every book project begins with intention and clarity. I guide clients through a thoughtful, collaborative process designed to bring their vision to life while honoring the story behind the design.
1. Discovery & Direction
We begin with a creative questionnaire and strategy call to clarify your story’s tone, characters, themes, and any visual direction you have in mind. I’ll also collect your printer specs and edition details to make sure everything fits your needs from the start.
2. Research & Visual Development
I explore visual references, motifs, and palettes that support your story’s mood and message. If this is part of a series or shop brand, I’ll make sure it visually aligns with your broader aesthetic.
3. Sketching & Color Exploration
You’ll receive a rough sketch of each illustration along with a color palette direction along with a place to provide feedback before we move forward with the final artwork on each stage of the project.
4. Illustration & Design
Once approved, I complete the final illustrations and combine them with custom typography and layout—whether that’s a dust jacket, hardcover case, or edge design. All designs are created in Procreate or Adobe Illustrator, depending on your file needs.
5. Refinement & Delivery
After final feedback and proofing, I prepare everything to your printer’s specs and upload it to the portal for easy access. If your project includes marketing graphics, I’ll wrap those up and deliver them here too.
Every piece is crafted to spark curiosity, leave a lasting impression, & invite readers into the world you’ve built.
Services Offered
Custom artwork and design for:
✦ Illustrated Dust Jackets
✦ Custom Hardcovers (foil or full-color)
✦ Endpapers & Chapter Icons
✦ Sprayed Edge Designs
✦ Book-Related Merch (stickers, bookmarks, totes, etc.)
✦ Graphic Design for Marketing (social, website, email)
Have something else in mind? Just ask—I love collaborating on creative extras.
Let’s Bring Your Story to Life
Ready to begin your custom book design? Reach out here or visit the inquiry page to get started.I can’t wait to help bring your vision to the page—& your book to the hands of readers who’ll treasure it.
Case Study: Don’t Kiss the Bride
Client: Cassidy James Taylor, Grump & Sunshine Bookshop
Author: Carian Cole
Project Type: Exclusive Special Edition Dust Jacket, Foiled Hard Cover Case Design , Illustrated Edges & Endpapers & Chapter headings
Scope: Full Illustration + Design Package
The Project
In collaboration with Cassidy, the owner of Grump & Sunshine Bookshop, I created a fully illustrated special edition of Don’t Kiss the Bride by Carian Cole. The goal was a romantic, emotionally grounded design that felt deeply tied to the story—perfect for readers who love immersive, collectible editions.
Cassidy and I worked closely to build an edition that not only stood on its own visually, but also set the tone for future books in the Grump & Sunshine series.
What I Designed
This multi-element project included:
Illustrated Dust Jacket
A fully illustrated dust cover featuring characters, setting, and symbolic objects—all tied together in a romantic, modern style.Foil-Ready Hardcover Case
A linework design with quote, foliage, and curated items—designed for single-color foil printing.Sprayed Edge Design
A narrative-driven edge featuring Skylar’s cat, Jude’s dog, and specially selected narrative details like fall foliage and the couple’s vehicles.Endpapers
A full-spread interior illustration of the proposal scene—placing readers right in the moment with layered visual storytelling.Chapter Header Icons
A set of grayscale icons representing recurring themes and visual elements from the story.
Behind the Scenes
This project brought together everything I love—thoughtful symbolism, character-driven design, and creative collaboration with a client who truly values the process. From our first discovery call to final delivery, Cassidy and I worked closely to balance artistic detail with production logistics.
Working across both Procreate and Illustrator allowed me to blend hand-drawn warmth with precision—perfect for a layered print project like this. We used my Notion-based client portal to stay organized, track feedback, and streamline revisions without getting lost in email chains.
Book 2 is already underway, and I’m so excited to keep building this series of special editions for Grump & Sunshine. The best part? Creating something that feels emotionally true to the story—and will live on readers’ shelves as a piece they truly treasure.
Client Feedback
“I’m genuinely obsessed with how beautiful this edition turned out. You brought everything I imagined to life—and then some.”
— Cassidy James Taylor, Grump & Sunshine Bookshop
Want to create a custom edition your readers will treasure? Start your project here!
Stanislaus County Library’s Summer Reading Bookmark Contest
I’m thrilled to share that my design was selected as the 18+ winner of the Stanislaus County Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Bookmark Contest! The contest, held in April 2025, was open to all ages for a chance to be featured across the county—and now my bookmark is available at all 13 Stanislaus County library branches.
If you’re visiting the library, don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge! You can learn more at the Stanislaus County Library website.
And for those local to Oakdale: I’ll be printing a special batch of these bookmarks and offering them at my Artist in Residence booth this August at the Oakdale Morning Market. Come say hi! 🧡📖
Bookish Projects
Collaboration with Story Books and Toys
✨ New Collaboration Alert! ✨
I'm so excited to share that my Book Dragon Society tote bags are now available at Story Books and Toys—Oakdale’s beloved indie bookstore! 🐉📚
This whimsical design celebrates book lovers who hoard stories like treasure (you know who you are), and I’m thrilled to see it brought to life in such a cozy, community-centered space.
You can find the totes in-store now at:
📍 150 S 2nd Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361
Swing by, support local, and snag one for your next library or bookstore adventure! 💛
Artist in Residence at the Oakdale Morning Market on July 19
Also, I will be joining the Oakdale Morning Market as the Artist in Residence on August 19th! You’ll find my booth filled with whimsical, gift-worthy creations—perfect for art lovers, readers, and anyone who loves a little color in their life.
Here’s what I’ll have available:
🖼️ Art Prints – Signed giclée prints on fine art paper
📚 Limited Edition Bookmarks – Choose from two designs: Bookshelf, Floral or Succulents
👜 Tote Bags – Soft cotton totes featuring my original artwork
🧩 Mini Puzzles – 99-piece whimsical designs, perfect for gifting or display
💎 Diamond Painting Kits – Premium kits with everything you need to create your own sparkling masterpiece and
✨ Stickers
The Oakdale Morning Market runs every Saturday from May 3–September 27, 8–11 AM on North 3rd Avenue in Downtown Oakdale, CA. Come say hi on August 23rd and shop local! 🧡
Mockups
