The state of New York offers everything you might need to get your book published.
Not only does it represent some of the very best literary agents and book publishers in the world, in NY you can also find some of the most experienced book publicists in the business.
And in the post we look at a very creative element of the book publishing process – cover design.
If you’re searching for a dazzling cover for your book, one of the following 21 top book cover designers in New York may be able to help.
1. Chip Kidd
Chip Kidd is an award-winning book cover designer. Based in New York, he boasts an extensive experience in cover design, illustrations, graphic artwork; and over the last 32 years, there’s hardly a genre has hasn’t worked for. From graphic novels to pulp fiction; biographies to classics- he extends his expertise in every possible genre you can ever think of. Kidd doesn’t conform to a specific style and goes by the notion of minimalism and simplicity. His covers are therefore simple, stylish and yet incredibly impactful. As of now, he serves as the associate art director of Knopf, a leading imprint of Penguin Random House. Although Kidd occasionally indulges in freelance projects, he is extremely selective about the work he takes on. In case you’re still looking to get in touch, contact him here.
2. Steven Heller
With almost 33 years of experience in graphic design and illustration, Steven Heller is a true veteran and a supremely talented connoisseur of art. Throughout his career, he has designed covers for several award-winning novels and popular magazines like ‘The Atlantic’, ‘The Eye Magazine’ and ‘The New York Times’. His covers range from classics to historical fiction; biographies to coffee table books; science fiction to children’s texts, and you’d love them for their style, minimalism and lasting visual appeal. Like Kidd, Heller too occasionally indulges in freelance projects and can be contacted here.
3. Laura Duffy Design
Laury Duffy Design is the independent design studio of graphic designer and illustrator Laura Duffy. She currently serves as an Art Director at Penguin Random House, and her clients love her work for their creative, classy, professional designs. Despite working full-time for a leading publishing house, Duffy has collaborated with quite a few indie publishers. Her designs encompass almost everything from print publications to ebooks for a diverse range of genres like biographies, motivational texts, classics and fiction. As of now, she charges $950 for both print and ebook covers. This package includes revisions and 3D mockups. In case you’re looking to get your book covers designed by her, fill up this contact form.
4. Louise Fili
Launched in 1989, Lousie Fili LTD is a New York based graphic design studio, owned and operated by artist Louise Fili. Having served as an Art Director for Pantheon Books, you can always count on Louise for attractive, captivating and quintessentially classy book covers. Although she specializes in cookbooks, motivational texts and coffee table books; you can also get in touch with her for any other specific need. In addition to book cover design, she’ll also help you with the branding/marketing materials of your business. In case you’re looking to find out more about her services, contact her here.
5. Damonza Designs
Having spent 18 years in the publishing industry, Damon Freeman wanted to try something new. And that is exactly why he started dabbling in illustrations and book cover designing. Over the time, he honed his skills and by 2012, he evolved as one of the finest newcomers in the industry. Backed by an equally passionate and supportive team, Damonza has designed hundreds of book covers for many big and small-time authors. He has worked on cookbooks, motivational texts, nonfiction and self-help guides. As of now, he charges $495 for ebook cover design and $595 for your paperback copies. Contact him here for a detailed scoop on his services.
6. DePinho Design
DePinho Designs began as an experimental venture of supremely talented illustrator and cover designer Joseph DePinho. What started as his independent project, soon ranked up the charts and right now this studio stands as one of the eminent cover design agencies in New York. With an experience of almost 29 years, Joseph has worked for both prestigious publishing houses and absolute newcomers who are completely clueless about the publishing industry. His domain ranges from mass market to trade; educational texts to biographies; children’s books to medical guides. DePinho designs have been widely lauded for its simple, smart and creative designs; thanks to Joseph’s unconventional approach. As of now, he designs covers for both ebooks and print publications. Visit this page to directly get in touch with him.
7. Sagmeister & Walsh
Sagmeister & Welsh was formed in 1993 by the collaborative efforts of creative artists Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh. Nestled in the heart of New York City, this company is driven by the goal to create identities for authors, and over the last 25 years, they’ve definitely succeeded in this goal. The designs churned out by their team are anything but conventional and over the last two decades they’ve designed both print and ebook covers for several award-winning fictional pieces, nonfictional texts, coffee table books and children’s texts. Contact them here for more details about their services and quotes.
8. Pepco Studio
Pepco Studio is the graphic design studio of award winning graphic designer Philip Pascazzo. Hailing from Albany, Philip created this studio to collaborate with indie publishers who are looking to leave an impact on their readers, with creative and truly eye-catching book covers. His venture turned out to be incredibly successful and right now he boasts an extensive clientele ranging from leading publishing houses, to new small-time authors. Philip has designed print and ebook covers for motivational texts, coffee table books, biographies and quite a few novels. Each of his designs, have received several accolades and clients love his works for their simplicity and elegance. If you’re looking to find out more about his services, fill up this form for a free quote.
9. Type Work Studio
Established in 2008, Type Work Studio is a full service design agency that’ll help you craft stunning, bespoke covers for your very first book. Nestled in the heart of Buffalo, this New York based studio designs covers for both indie publishers as well as the industry bigwigs. While the company specializes in educational texts, you can also contact them for your branding/web designing needs. In case you’re looking to get your cover designed from their team, request for a free quote here.
10. Gabriele Wilson Design
When it comes to captivating, creative and intelligent cover designs; you can never go wrong with Gabriele Wilson Designs. This New York based agency first came to inception in 2006, and 12 years down the line it still retains its position as one of the top design studios in the city. Professor Gabriele Wilson created this platform to give vent to her creative expressions. Her efforts paid off and the studio got a chance to collaborate with a discerning client base from varying publications and identities. Over the last couple of years Gabriele Wilson Design has created hard covers, paperbacks and digital copies for romantic novels, classics, educational texts, motivational texts, biographies and thrillers. Drop her, a mail here for a quick scoop on her quotes and project guidelines.
11. Karen Horton
With an experience of over a decade in graphic design, Karen Horton can be your ‘go-to’ solution for unconventional, quirky and iconic book covers. Based in New York City, Horton currently works as an associate Art Director at Henry Holt & Company. This platform is her passion project where she experiments with styles and fonts to create truly eye-catching book covers. Over the last few years, she has collaborated with bestselling authors and designed covers for fiction, non- fiction, biographies, historical pieces and coffee table books. While the website doesn’t list her pricing plans, you can always get in touch with her on this page.
12. ACD Book Cover Design
ACD Book Cover Design is one of those rare studios; that collaborates with both big and small-time authors irrespective of the print run. Created and operated by Andy Carpenter, this New York based studio boasts a rich clientele of best-selling authors, National award winners and Pulitzer Prize Winners. Interestingly, despite their fame and staggering popularity, the platform encourages new talent and always gives them an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Over the years, ACD Book Cover Designed has worked on e-books and print publications for thrillers, mysteries, fictions, motivational guides and biographies. Currently, the covers for their e-book and print publications are available at $1000. Reach out to them here for a free quote.
13. Rachel Willey
If you want your book to hit the bestsellers list, Rachel Willey is one of the best designers for you. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Willey loves experimenting with different fonts and typography. She currently serves as a creative designer in Penguin Random House, and over the last 8 years, she has worked on a diverse range of print and ebook covers for fiction, mysteries, thrillers and motivational texts. Although she doesn’t have a website of her own, you can always contact her here.
14. Ray Shappel
If you’re more comfortable working with an independent freelancer instead of a big publishing company- graphic designer Ray Shappel is just the right person for you. Having worked with Harper Collins and Penguin Random House, you can always count on Ray for sleek, elegant and truly classy book covers. Although he has worked for quite a few genres, Ray’s true expertise lies in non-fiction and coffee table books. His designs reflect a perfect mix of creativity, ingenuity and an unpremeditated passion for his work. Ray, designs covers for both ebooks and print publications, and you can always contact him here for more details.
15. The Book Designer
The Book Designer was launched in 2006 when graphic designer Alan Hebel collaborated with artist Ian Koviak to develop a one-stop cover design solution for both independent publishers and leading publishing houses. Their shared desire soon caught some pace, and over the next few years this agency managed to build a solid reputation for its impeccable designs and truly innovative approach. Over the last 12 years, this duo has designed covers for science fictions, thrillers, romantic novels, biographies, coffee table books and almost every other genre you could possibly imagine. Their cover design packages range from $750 to $1500. In case you’re looking to find more details, visit this page.
16. GM Studio
If you’re looking to render visual life to your literary texts- GM Studio can be your ultimate solution. Established by Gene Mollica in 2004, this is one of those unique design studios; that lets you take full control of the design. Yes! Once you subscribe to their package, you’ll get a chance to fully customize the cover according to your individual preferences. GM studio has boasts a versatile clientele and over the last 14 years, they’ve designed covers for both print publications and ebooks. Coffee table texts, biographies, nonfictions and motivational texts are some of the genres they specialize in. While their pricing is not listed on the site, you can always get in touch with them here for a free quote.
17. Isabella Urbina Pena
Isabella Urbina Pena can be your one-stop solution for book cover designs, typeface designs and lettering. She created her independent studio in Brooklyn to explore and experiment with book cover designs, and going by the testimonials, she has truly achieved her goal. Having worked with prestigious agencies like Harper Collins, Variety, Lenny Letter and Campari, you can always count on Pena for sleek, stylish, bespoke book covers; that leaves a lasting impact on your clients. In case you’re looking to get the cover of your ebook/printed copy designed by Pena, drop her, a mail here.
18. Rodrigo Corral
Rodrigo Corral is a New York based graphic designer who is best known for his compelling, eye-catching book covers. Corral has been a part of the publishing industry for over two decades, and during this time he has designed print publications and ebooks for both self published authors as well as the leading publishing houses. He primarily specializes in non-fiction covers and loves being a part of projects where he has a ‘role’ to play. You can discuss about your book with Corral on this page.
19. Christopher Sergio Design
Christopher Sergio is an exceptionally talented artist who has designed covers for award-winning books that have been later adopted as TV-shows. But over the time, he wanted to try something new. So despite serving as Vice President, art director at Penguin Random House, he came up with this design studio as a freelance, passion project. This New York based studio showcases some of his best cover designs in fiction, mystery, thriller and non-fiction genres; and if you’re fond of creative, minimalist designs- you’d definitely love his works on a first glance. In case you’re looking to personally contact Christopher, drop him an email here.
20. Tammy Seidick
When it comes to designing unique, creative and out-of-the-box book covers, you can never go wrong with Tammy Seidick. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Seidick opened her very own New York based studio back in 2009. Although she’s had her fair share of struggles in the beginning, from that very point, there was absolutely no looking back in her career. Over the last 9 years, Seidick has designed quite a few book covers for fiction, romantic novels, mysteries and thrillers for bestselling authors and small-time publishing houses. She charges $225 for ebook covers, and $325 for the print publications. Mail her here to find out more about her services.
21. Peter Mendelsund
Peter Mendelsund is an exceptionally talented visual artist, who is best known for his spectacular covers in nonfiction, fiction, classics and historical fiction. Within just 10 years in the industry, he has managed to collaborate with leading publishing houses like Harper Collins and Penguin. And that’s not all! Despite his massive demand among leading publishing houses, he is equally enthusiastic about working with newbies. Mendelsund has designed covers for both ebooks and print publications. You can always find out more about his projects here.
Are you a book cover designer in New York? Please tell us about your work in the comments box below!