Astred Hicks and Tristan Bancks

FRIDAY

Astred Hicks was the cover designer on my Mac Slater, Coolhunter books and now she has designed the splotchy, goopy, messed-up internals of My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up. Here, she gives insight into the book design process.

 

1. Where do you begin when considering how to lay out a book? What inspired your approach to My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up?
The brief for My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up consisted of the official brief document, manuscript and a bunch of the illustrations. As well as a few sample designs for inspiration. After reading through everything I had to think about how the intended audience was going to read this book. Cover-to-cover or one story at a time? How do we make boring stuff like page numbers work with the story and illustrations? How do I make Tom's notes at the end of each story stand out?
Then I put together a sample design for one chapter and sent it off to the publisher for approval. Then they come back (in this case) and say: Make it messier!

2. Book design must often happen by committee. How do you work collaboratively in this way and not get annoyed with the process?
I think it depends on your relationship with your client. I am really lucky with the publishers and editors at Children's and Young Adult Books Random House. We have a great line of communication because they are all very creative and I trust their original vision. They in turn trust me to bring it to life and give me the freedom to explore different solutions.

3. What did you enjoy about working on My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up?
Already giggling at the titles of some of the illustrations being sent to me, such as 'cat_vomit.jpg' and 'dog_kisser.jpg' I was laughing hard as I started to layout the first chapter. Which to me is a great sign as it makes (my already awesome) job a lot of fun. It also helps me get into the right mind-frame for the audience. And I admit to reacting aloud to some of the stories (Vegemite-toe eeeewwwww!!).

4. What were some of the challenges that you faced?
Finding the right set of typefaces that complimented the story, suited the target audience age but also added character was a challenge. I tend to sit and play with a lot of combinations until I am happy and apply them to the layout.

5. Why do you particularly love to design books? Do you ever tell people in bookstores that you designed the cover of the book they are about to buy?
I love books. Full stop. And being able contribute some way to the creation of a book is something that I love doing. I have to admit to restraining myself from grabbing people on the street who are holding books I've designed. I have also been known to lurk around bookshop shelves and watch people pick up books I've designed. But I have never had the guts to accost anyone...yet! And I may or may not have stood by giggling as my husband rearranged a display in Kmart, by moving all the books with my covers to the front*.

*If this did in fact happen, I would like to point out that it was early in my book designing career and I have since learnt from my young ways, as booksellers hate people doing this (particularly authors and designers).

6. Are you a dog kisser, have you ever been involved in competitive eating and could your Nan beat Tom Weekly's in a back-alley brawl?
I am definitely a dog smoocher, but won't go so far as call it kissing. I have seen my dogs sniff their fair share of butts and eat the odd piece of poo and I am not pashing that! I give them smooches on the tops of their heads instead.
Although a few years ago I did do a photo shoot with my old dog Thorn, that involved him licking my face and me laughing nonchalantly . As the photographer saying the usual "yes, that looks great! Now laugh more, good dog lick more!" All I could think of was the poo-breakfast Thorn had probably eaten that morning.

 

[caption id="attachment_2713" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Astred Hicks, Designer"][/caption]

That wraps up a week of insights into the making of My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up. I loved working with these creative humans who brought my stories alive and pushed me to be a better writer. I hope you've enjoyed this book journey.

 www.tristanbancks.com