Coralie Bickford-Smith

Coralie Bickford-Smith makes books difficult to read. That’s because opening a novel past one of her exquisitely designed covers is nearly impossible. As a senior cover designer at Penguin Books, Coralie has re-invented classic book covers like The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations by transforming them into modern design masterpieces. For instance, her recent F. Scott Fitzgerald series uses fresh metallic patterns to capture the art deco time period of his stories. That kind of artistry has won the well-known British designer numerous honors, including recognition in the AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers, 2009 Annual. Take a page out of Coralie’s book in her 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Obsessive, colourful, tactile.

2. Who is your creative role model?
William Morris.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Drawing.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Brighton Pier when it’s dark and the lights are on playing the 2p machines because its fun, totally absorbing and silly.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
A fine artist, fun to be non answerable to sales, marketing, editorial, well to anybody. Although the way my mind works it likes solving problems so it might be quite an unproductive day.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
A piece of writing/poetry that is special to that person that I have typeset and framed.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
Today it’s my blue glass money box owl, tomorrow it is my edelweiss paperweight…. they all take it in turns.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Get on with it.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
ffffound, Design*Sponge, print & pattern, jacket mechanical, Spine Out.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When the production controller starts hanging around my desk.