The best book cover designers for hire near Chicago

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WJ 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Check my work, trust me and I won't let you down. picturebook Illustrator / character designer / general illustrator

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, Contemporary Fiction, and Design.

Work experience:

  • co.Aniframe
  • Self-employed

Cover and Interior Designer with 10+ years of industry experience. Specializing in Picture Books, Adult Nonfiction, and Adult Fiction.

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Biographies & Memoirs, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Picture Books, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks

C.J. 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm an award-winning illustrator, well-versed both in realistic nature-based and fantasy painting and children's media ✨

Genres: Nature, Non-Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Children's, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • U.S Chess Federation (Freelance Client)
  • Gallopade
  • Cepia, LLC

Judith 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, United States

Lettering artist and illustrator for 25 years. Bold, clean, graphic style—bright color palettes—contemporary look.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Design, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Themes & Motifs, and Plays & Screenplays.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Heather 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Experienced cover designer of adult fiction and non-fiction genres. Let's make your book a best-seller!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Coming of Age, Historical Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Magical Realism, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks

Brianna 5 star rating

New York, United States

I'm a freelance book cover designer and illustrator with nearly a decade of in-house experience at a top publishing house.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Travel, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Music, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sports & Outdoors, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

David 5 star rating

New York, United States

Exceedingly detail oriented and organized, with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; highly dedicated, and reliable.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Psychology, True Crime, Thriller & Suspense, Design, and Photography.

Work experience:

  • Sterling Publishing
  • Simon and Schuster
  • Self-employed
  • Skyhorse Publishing

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Nicole 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Designer and Art Director with 10 years of industry experience, specializing in YA and Adult. Has worked on 15 New York Times bestsellers.

Genres: Coming of Age, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Horror, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks
  • Self-employed

Andrea 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I’m an artist with a knack for illustration, hand lettering and painting. I love creating bold and colorful pieces!

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, True Crime, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Penny 5 star rating

Holbrook, United States

I have been lucky enough to work as a Children's Book Illustrator since 2007.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, and Middle Grade.

Work experience:

  • self employed

Ashley 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Hi authors! Long time Reedsy designer. Always looking for creative partners, who want a unique cover. Message me for my detailed process.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Poetry, LGBTQ Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Write Bloody Publishing
  • NPR - Austin, TX
  • Gap Online
  • Ladders
  • Democratic National Committee
  • Bully Pulpit Interactive

Kids designer/illustrator who loves storytelling, fun facts, cute macabre, fantasy, + nature. Let's create rad books—for the kid in us all♥️

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks
  • Self-employed

Eugene 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm a talented freelance illustrator who specializes in creating eye catching sci-fi, fantasy, horror and YA fiction illustrations.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Comics Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Glen 5 star rating

Valley Cottage, NY, United States

I am a book designer with lifelong experience in book publishing. I am with you start to finish. You are not alone. We are a team!

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Historical Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Business & Management.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Penguin Random House Inc.
  • Bantam-Dell Publishing Group, Penguin Random House Inc.
  • St. Martins Press Inc.

Asya 5 star rating

New York, United States

Enthusiastic and creative designer with a passion for books and reading who would love to collaborate on your next great project.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Anthologies, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Career Guides, Entertainment, Music, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Robin 5 star rating

New York City, NY, United States

Outstanding designs for BOOK COVERS and SUPPORT MATERIALS (print and digital) for Adult Trade and YA books, ebooks, and audiobooks.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, LGBTQ Fiction, Women's Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Health & Wellbeing, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • PenguinUSA

David 5 star rating

Guilford, United States

I believe that book cover design has the power to crystalize and elevate the author's intent and expression.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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Hire the best book cover designers in Chicago, Illinois

Many authors overlook the importance of presentation and branding. Though DIY book covers are an inexpensive option, they rarely have the aesthetic qualities needed to attract readers and create a strong impression. This can make your book look unprofessional and deter readers from buying it as a result.

So unless you are an experienced designer yourself, you need a professional book cover designer to help you present your work in an appealing and effective way. Such a cover designer has all the experience needed to create a marketable outer appearance for your book. Depending on whether you want a photo-based or illustrated cover, you’ll need a graphic designer with the right qualifications — someone who knows what sells in your genre and how to apply that to your cover.

At Reedsy, we have some of the best book cover designers in Chicago. Sign up now and search our exclusive catalogue of cover design professionals, all of whom have been handpicked by our team.

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Step 2

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Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.