Emma J. Hardy

Emma J. Hardy – Designer

Experienced designer with an impactful style. Previously in house at Macmillan. 2016 shortlist for ABCD's cover design award.

Overview

I am an experienced book cover designer having previously worked in house for Palgrave Macmillam, across their UK and US lists.

My style is naturally minimal, which allows the title space to breathe and ensures that the tone and topic of your book are communicated as the most important thing in order to catch a reader's attention.

Whilst at Macmillan I was shortlisted for the non-fiction 2016 award by the Academy of British Cover Design (ABCD).

I am also the founder of Spine, a magazine that aims to showcase new and noteworthy cover design and promotes high standards in the industry.

My style is naturally minimal, allowing the title space to breathe and ensuring that the tone and topic of your book are communicated as the most important thing in order to catch a reader's attention. I also provide a typesetting service, which reflects the ethos of my cover design work. For more information regarding typesetting get in touch.

If you choose to work with me for your cover design, I'll provide:

– 3 initial cover options in varying styles, which you can choose your favourite from. After which you can let me know if you'd like to make tweaks or develop the style further for two more rounds of changes. Then once the cover has been approved we'll move onto designing the back and spine.
– 'thumbnail' version of your cover with the title matter enlarged to ensure it is visible when viewed online
– stock photography from sites I have arrangements with. If you have your own photos in mind you'll be responsible for the licensing and purchase of those images

Clients include: Bloomsbury | Palgrave Macmillan | Princeton University Press | Zed Books | The Bookseller | IB Tauris | Whitefox | Macmillan Higher Education | Amper and Sand Publishing

“From start to finish Emma has been totally professional, helpful and quick to communicate. The early drafts of the book cover were all so good, and the final version absolutely perfect! She provided all sorts of promotional material to support my book at launch, and expert advice at all stages. I can’t thank her enough!”
— Dr. Hugh Harvey, One Flew Over the Doctors' Mess

“I’ve worked with Emma on two projects, and both book covers exceeded my expectations by a long shot. The finished covers are to die for, and Emma was great to work with from start to finish; I can’t wait to work on my next project with her. ”
— Jack Jordan, Anything for Her & My Girl
Services
Non-Fiction
Economics Education & Reference History Nature Philosophy Political Science & Current Affairs Psychology True Crime
Fiction
Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English
Works with
Squarespace
Awards
  • ABCD Award Shortlist 2015
Certifications
  • BA Hons 1st Class

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2016 — Present

Freelance cover designer specialising in non-fiction.

Clients include: Palgrave Macmillan, I.B. Taurus, Bloomsbury, Princeton University Press and Zed Books alongside working through agencies such as Reedsy.

I am experienced with licensing and commissioning images for covers and working closely with commissioning editors or self-published authors in order to ensure briefs are filled out correctly and the cover process goes smoothly .

Foul Play Magazine

Aug, 2017 — Present

Co-founder of Foul Play, a new kind of true crime magazine that prides itself on thoughtful and non-sensationalist content. I’m currently managing editor for Foul Play which is stocked in multiple shops across the UK.

Spine Magazine

Jun, 2015 — Oct, 2016 (over 1 year)

Founder of Spine a magazine that aims to showcase new and noteworthy cover design and promotes high standards in the industry. Spine is currently managed and edited by designer Eric Wilder.

Palgrave Macmillan

May, 2014 — Jun, 2016 (about 2 years)

I worked in house for Macmillan's academic publishing division, Palgrave Macmillam, across their UK and US lists.

Portfolio

The first comprehensive political history of the communist partyVanguard of the Revolution is a sweeping history of one of the most significant political institutions of the modern world. The communist party was a revolutionary idea long before its supporters ... read more
Feminism is not dead. This groundbreaking book advances a radical and pioneering feminist manifesto for today's modern audience that exposes the real reasons as to why women are still oppressed and what feminist activism must do to counter it through a vibrant... read more
Ted Schrecker and Clare Bambra argue that the obesity, insecurity, austerity and inequality that result from neoliberal (or 'market fundamentalist') policies are hazardous to our health, asserting that these neoliberal epidemics require a political cure.
This book offers an original contribution to the empirical knowledge of the development of Fair Trade that goes beyond the anecdotal accounts to challenge and analyse the trading practices that shaped the Fair Trade model. Fair Trade represented a new approach... read more
This book acknowledges that the reader of a novel looks at and sees the page before they begin to read any text placed upon it. Thus, any disruptions to how a traditional page 'should look' can have a large impact on the reading process. The book critically en... read more
Academic freedom is increasingly being threatened by a stifling culture of conformity in higher education that is restricting individual academics, the freedom of academic thought and the progress of knowledge – the very foundations upon which academia and uni... read more
We live in an age of serial asset bubbles and spectacular busts. Economists, policymakers, central bankers and most people in the financial world have been blindsided by these busts, while investors have lost trillions. Economists argue that bubbles can only b... read more

Emma has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ralph H.

Ralph H.

Nov, 2018

I've found Emma very professional and easy to deal with especially as this was my first time going through the process of publishing a book.
Elie J.

Elie J.

Oct, 2018

Working with Emma was a great experience. She quickly interprets and reflects the desired inspirations the author would like to reflect in the cover his book, she considers and addresses every design detail required and proposes the appropriate solution or idea.
Ralph H.

Ralph H.

Aug, 2018

I'm really happy with the work that Emma has done on my book. She's covered a few different areas for me from the cover design to formatting, choosing the typeface and doing infographics. Great job all round and I would really recommend Emma.

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