Jonathan Williams
Freelance Illustrator / Designer
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1993, I've been working as a designer, illustrator and art director. In partnership with other creatives I seek to inform, entertain and challenge using words and pictures: producing lively colorful children's books; illustrating newspapers and magazines; helping to build global brands such as Virgin, Orange and Benetton. Whatever the client or medium, my aim is to grab your attention and spark your imagination!
Experience
Oxford, United Kingdom
Mar 1999 – Mar 2000
Designer
Pearson Education is the world's leading educational publisher. Across a wide spectrum of subjects, including business, technology, sciences, law and humanities, their books and resources help students to learn, teachers to teach and professionals to develop throughout their careers.
In 1999 I was recruited by Pearson (then Harcourt) to work with with US educational publisher Rigby. As part of an editorial team I helped to design and art-direct a new series of big books and activity sheets for shared reading in literacy hour. I was responsible for planning the content and layout of titles; selecting and commissioning illustrators and photographers; controlling costs and schedules; and ensuring each book was delivered on time and within budget.
I was privileged to work with some of the UK's most talented artists including Jan Pienkowski, Tony Ross and Nick Sharratt. I learned how to direct photographers on location and how to draw out the best from each illustrator. I developed an ability to think critically whilst retaining a sense of playfulness, essential qualities for a children's book designer.
In 1999 I was recruited by Pearson (then Harcourt) to work with with US educational publisher Rigby. As part of an editorial team I helped to design and art-direct a new series of big books and activity sheets for shared reading in literacy hour. I was responsible for planning the content and layout of titles; selecting and commissioning illustrators and photographers; controlling costs and schedules; and ensuring each book was delivered on time and within budget.
I was privileged to work with some of the UK's most talented artists including Jan Pienkowski, Tony Ross and Nick Sharratt. I learned how to direct photographers on location and how to draw out the best from each illustrator. I developed an ability to think critically whilst retaining a sense of playfulness, essential qualities for a children's book designer.
Oxford, United Kingdom
Mar 1997 – Mar 1999
Graphic Designer
Lion Publishing (now merged with Angus Hudson) is an independent publisher, selling books in more than 200 languages across the world. As part of a medium-sized publishing team I designed for a range of titles - from illustrated picture books and novels to non-fiction and reference.
In collaboration with a team of editors and designers, I was responsible for the planning and implementation of book design: from initial layout, choice of paper stock / print process and commissioning of artwork through to finished design and pre-press preparation including foreign language editions. I worked closely with illustrators and photographers, managing briefs and ensuring projects were delivered on time and within budget.
Designing for a spectrum of ages stretched my ability to communicate visually with specific target audiences. I learned to lay out pages using Quark Express tags and templates, as well as manipulating type and images using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
My responsibilities also included design for catalogues, packaging, exhibition stands, point-of-sale and other marketing materials.
In collaboration with a team of editors and designers, I was responsible for the planning and implementation of book design: from initial layout, choice of paper stock / print process and commissioning of artwork through to finished design and pre-press preparation including foreign language editions. I worked closely with illustrators and photographers, managing briefs and ensuring projects were delivered on time and within budget.
Designing for a spectrum of ages stretched my ability to communicate visually with specific target audiences. I learned to lay out pages using Quark Express tags and templates, as well as manipulating type and images using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
My responsibilities also included design for catalogues, packaging, exhibition stands, point-of-sale and other marketing materials.
Leicester, United Kingdom
Sep 1995 – Mar 1997
Book Designer
InterVarsity Press is a small independent publisher which publishes / distributes more than a million books each year to over 150 countries, in more than 80 different languages. As the only designer I was responsible for the design, illustration and typesetting of a range of academic titles.
Book interiors were still being typeset by out-of-house suppliers, so I learned how to skim a manuscript quickly - identifying any special features that required a particular style - then specify the design for a typesetter. I acquired a knowledge of publishing conventions such as binding methods, extents, page sizes and proofreading markup.
Cover design allowed a much greater degree of creativity. This was my first experience of taking books to print using computer programmes such as Quark Express, Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Freehand. Cover design combined digital media skills with traditional drawing, painting and printmaking. I learned how to prepare artwork for press and how to give instruction for different print processes.
Book interiors were still being typeset by out-of-house suppliers, so I learned how to skim a manuscript quickly - identifying any special features that required a particular style - then specify the design for a typesetter. I acquired a knowledge of publishing conventions such as binding methods, extents, page sizes and proofreading markup.
Cover design allowed a much greater degree of creativity. This was my first experience of taking books to print using computer programmes such as Quark Express, Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Freehand. Cover design combined digital media skills with traditional drawing, painting and printmaking. I learned how to prepare artwork for press and how to give instruction for different print processes.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Jan 1993 – Sep 1995
Illustrator
Sharing a studio in central Edinburgh with two other illustrators, I produced artwork for books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, calendars, posters, packaging and t-shirts. My client list included the Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, News International, NWS Bank, Gleneagles’ Hotel, Arran Provisions, The Scotsman, The Big Issue and CA Magazine.
As a recent graduate I learned the importance of listening to clients and understanding their business needs. Working to a given brief within tight deadlines, I developed the ability to communicate ideas, sensations, facts, feelings and emotions in a style that reached a target audience.
I learned how to search for inspiration; how to brainstorm for ideas and express them with originality and confidence for discussion and approval; how to refine ideas through consultation; and how to introduce new ideas when appropriate.
Using traditional media - pencils, markers and paint - I continued to develop my practical skills of descriptive drawing, painting, mark-making and composition.
As a freelance I learned the basics of running a small business: negotiating fees and deadlines; preparing invoices and tax returns; seeking new sources of work; building a strong portfolio and approaching potential clients.
As a recent graduate I learned the importance of listening to clients and understanding their business needs. Working to a given brief within tight deadlines, I developed the ability to communicate ideas, sensations, facts, feelings and emotions in a style that reached a target audience.
I learned how to search for inspiration; how to brainstorm for ideas and express them with originality and confidence for discussion and approval; how to refine ideas through consultation; and how to introduce new ideas when appropriate.
Using traditional media - pencils, markers and paint - I continued to develop my practical skills of descriptive drawing, painting, mark-making and composition.
As a freelance I learned the basics of running a small business: negotiating fees and deadlines; preparing invoices and tax returns; seeking new sources of work; building a strong portfolio and approaching potential clients.
Education
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Sep 1991 – Dec 1992
MDes Illustration
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Sep 1988 – Jun 1991
BA(Hons) Design
Awards
2006
Bronze Award for Advertising
2006
GRAMIA
2009
Editorial Merit
Languages
English (Native)
Skills
illustration, design for print, web design, art direction
All works © Jonathan Williams 2011.
Please do not reproduce without the expressed written consent of Jonathan Williams.
Please do not reproduce without the expressed written consent of Jonathan Williams.
