Tasmina Perry - a new book a new look

I do a lot of work for the publishing industry and as an avid reader it's work I always enjoy. I'm often asked to hand letter logos for new authors for use across their future book covers or alternatively for more established writers to refresh their image or repackage their backlist.

Recently Headline Publishing asked me to take another look at Tasmina Perry's name. I'd worked on the logo previously for Harper Collins and they wanted something different to launch her latest book. I worked on a range of options focussing on a fresh, spontaneous feel with a touch of sophistication that would appeal to her readers. The lettering also had to be strong enough to stand alone on the cover as the designer wanted it to be a prominent feature of the over all design.

I don't know about you but it makes me look forward to my Summer holiday!

Mapping the World

Recently I've been asked to illustrate some maps. This is a relatively new area of work for me and something I'm enjoying immensely. Maps allow me to combine my interests in lettering and illustration with my love of travel.

The Wall Street Journal Asia asked me to produce an illustrated map for their latest City Walk article for the colourful city of Mumbai. These maps involve quite a bit of research - luckily I'm helped by the journalists in situ who will answer questions and send images of anything I can't find online - between us we aim to capture the flavour of the city. The article it illustrates describes a walk through the city streets and I'm asked to read through the copy, pulling out any places I'd like to illustrate while highlighting the street names on the route. An image from the map is used on the second page of the article, I chose to develop the Joy Shoes illustration - somewhere I'd definitely like to shop!

The second map was commissioned by Food and Travel Magazine - two of my favourite subjects. This is a much simpler design for their current pull-out magazine on Flanders. I enjoyed playing around with the fresh colours and open textures on this one. It will be printed quite small so it needed to be clear enough to be legible at a small size.

Two maps with very different solutions!

Keeping Warm With Aruba!

While it was snowing outside, I was keeping warm by working on a new set of seven posters for the beautiful island of Aruba. With photography by Jonas Kaarlson, the subjects were selected from the inhabitants of this idyllic island and then asked to provide me with samples of their handwriting. Taking these samples as a starting point I developed a style of lettering combined with spot illustrations for each poster that reflects something of their personalities and interests. With such a wide range of characters it was an interesting and challenging job!

If you want to see more of my poster work - take a look at the advertising folder in my online portfolio.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day falls on February 14th here in the UK and to celebrate I have a card on sale in Waterstones, Selfridges and Harrods. 30 pence from each sale is donated to the Kiss it Better annual Valentine's appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, raising funds for research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

To see more of my greetings cards click through to my online portfolio.

The Joy of Books

I've recently received some samples of book covers which feature my lettering.

I do a lot of work for the publishing industry and enjoy seeing styles change as the designers I work for tackle the constant problem of standing out in a competitive market. Recent years have seen the development of the author logo which is designed for use across a range of books and help to promote the author as a recognisable brand.

Hand lettered titles are designed to work with specific photos or illustrations so often give a cover a more personal, emotive and unified feel. I work in a wide range of lettering styles from chick lit to historical and love the variety the commissions give me. I also get to work for some of my favourite authors so it's not surprising that publishing jobs are some of my favourites!

You can see more of my lettering for books in my word>publishing folder on my website.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a creative and prosperous year ahead.

The Very Best of Enya

I was thrilled when asked to work on the booklet for The Very Best of Enya album, a wonderful retrospective of her musical career spanning 20 years released this Christmas by Warner Records.

The commission involved hand lettering key lyrics for the CD which were then dropped over these sumptuous photographs by Simon Fowler. A very collectible Limited Edition Box Set of deluxe CD/DVD and 12" vinyl picture disc has also been released in which all the lyrics are hand lettered. Her original logo has been retained and my hand lettering used as a visual link throughout the inside of the booklet.

Anyone who is familiar with my work will know that I started freelancing as a lettering artist in the 1980's working primarily for the record industry. Enya released her debut album in 1987 to much acclaim and it's been great to get the opportunity to work for her after all these years.

If you'd like see who else I've worked for click through to my music folder on my portfolio site and if you'd like to buy The Very Best of Enya you'll find it available on Enya's official website.