ABOUT

Thanks for popping by!

I’m passionate about typography, layout, textures, gorgeous patterns, stylish illustrations and most of all superb design which combines all these elements to create something that’s unique and fits your project brief.

Cheryl Smith

Freelance Designer and illustrator based in Auckland

I have worked in the graphic design industry for many years now, starting off in typesetting and working my way to becoming the design manager at Reed Publishing. I am now in my ‘element’ as a freelancer, working with various clients from publishers to small businesses to corporate companies... essentially I’m a jack of all trades.

One of my other passions is shoes... any shoes, I’m not fussy but I have a soft spot for the bespoke pairs I design myself and now have the pleasure of wearing!

SKILLS

Design flair that is award-winning, always coming up with new and exciting ideas that push the boundaries and both design and print

Extensive understanding of typography, print and publishing (trade and education)

Highly capable of illustration

Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage and work with a variety of people on a variety of tasks simultaneously

A sense of humour, very efficient and capable of working under pressure

Problem solver with a 'can-do approach'

Excellent understanding of Mac programmes including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.

AWARDS

Illustrator and designer of New Zealand’s best-selling children’s book for 2016 – Pee Wee the Lonely Kiwi by Blair Cooper

Highly Commended for the Edify Award for Best Educational Book — PANZ Book Design Awards 2015 – Walker Maths 2.9 Statistical Inference by Charlotte Walker & Victoria Walker

Highly Commended for the Edify Award for Best Educational Book — PANZ Book Design Awards 2014 – NCEA Business Studies: A workbook at Level 2 by David Farquhar

Winner of Best Educational Book – PANZ Book Design Awards 2013 – Essential Maths and Stats By David Barton & David Cox

Highly Commended for Best Educational Book – PANZ Book Design Awards 2010 – Geography on the Edge by Justin Peat

Children’s Choice Non-fiction Category Winner, NZ Post Children’s Book Awards 2010 – Dear Alison by Simon Pollard

Designer of The Nature of Science – Winner of the Best Book or Series in Secondary Publishing at the CLL Educational Awards 2010

Designer of Geography on the Edge by Justin Peat – Runner up in Best Book or Series in Secondard Publishing at the CLL Educational Awards 2010

Spectrum Print Book Design Award 2007 – Best Children’s Book, Legends of Ngatoro-i-Rangi by Karen Taiaroa-Smithes and Mervyn Taiaroa

Cover designer of the Furniture of the Colonial Era, Montana Book Award 2007 Reference and Anthology category winner

Designer of Go Wild! Monteiths Wild Foods Cookbook, winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook, NZ category, Best Corporate Cookbook

Designer of A Booming in the Night, winner of the Best Children’s Book in the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards 2006.

TESTIMONIALS

I have worked with Cheryl for over 15 years. She is always my first choice for a designer. Even with the worst deadlines she can always deliver. Her flair for design, creativity and illustration is wonderful, especially her children’s illustrations. She is always great to work with and nothing is too mush of a bother. I can highly recommend her, even though I would prefer to keep her all to myself.

Sharon Whitaker, Production Manager (freelance), ex Reed Publishing Editorial and Design Studio Manager
I highly recommend Cheryl for her professionalism and expert guidance. Her design concept for my book was so good it left me speechless! She captured the essence of the emotion inherent in my story in a series of poignant and heartfelt designs, the nuances she added leaving me with no doubt she’s the best there is in her field!

Angela Groom, author, Paris on a Prayer, The Dylan Groom Story
As a book editor and publishing consultant, I’ve worked with Cheryl for many years, for large traditional publishers, small presses, and independent authors. Her work is consistently outstanding, her designs fresh, innovative and on trend, and she has an uncanny knack of knowing exactly what the client wants and needs, even if they’re unsure themselves! Cheryl is highly professional, and her friendly nature means she’s always a joy to work with.

Sue Copsey, book editor and publishing consultant

CONTACT ME

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