How to Be a Book Designer

Book designers are often not among the most glamorous and romanticized artists. They do have the benefit of being some of the most consistently employed, however. With flair for art and an ability to work with writers and other creative types, you can be a book designer and make a decent living. Read on to find out how.

Instructions

1. Consider taking art or graphics classes. Working as a book designer means being familiar with different artistic media. You may need to use photography for one cover but draw animated characters for the next. Beef up your skills in as many areas as possible.

2. Create some samples. People may hire you without paid experience, but they are not going to hire you without seeing some of your work first. Design two or three samples for books you've imagined to showcase your talents.

3. Brand yourself. Being a book designer means differentiating yourself from the other artists who are trying to make a living in this way. You need a motto, a website and a good marketing strategy. Spending time and money on this area will benefit you immensely in the future.

4. Make local contacts. You should contact local publishers, writers' groups and other creative outlets. Also, network through local business organizations. You also may want to volunteer work for local tourist publications and other non-profit ventures.

5. Contact publishing companies. Most publishing companies work with a handful of book designers. You can become one of them if you work hard at it. You'll need samples of your work, and at least one or two places where your work has appeared. Then you write a letter and send it to the art department at publishing companies with which you would like to work.

6. Look for private clients. With the explosion of print on demand presses and desktop publishing, many people are looking for designers on their own. Seek out people who need design work and offer your services.