The Secrets to Ruling School (Without Even Trying)
So, major news. What all my friends and family have known, but you guys haven't, is that for the past two years I've been working on an incredible new project. It's my very first authored and illustrated middle grade novel, The
Breakfast Club Series at AIGA NY
I'll be doing a talk for AIGA NY's Breakfast Club Series on March 24th at 8am! It will be about crossing and combining the disciplines of illustration and design. From the AIGA NY website: Are you an art director who commissions
Walk on Earth a Stranger
Here's a new cover I created for Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers for Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson! It's a cool story set during the Gold Rush about a teenager with the magical ability to sense gold. From Goodreads: Lee
Connect the Stars
Here's a new cover I illustrated for HarperCollins for the book Connect the Stars! We looked at doing a similar treatment to Marisa de los Santos and David Teague's other novel, Saving Lucas Biggs, which I also illustrated. Connect the
Illustrated E.R. Frank Covers for Atheneum Books
I recently had the opportunity to illustrate a series of covers for E.R. Frank's books at Atheneum. I think they look pretty spiffy all together!
Finding Neverland Redux
After publication, the producer decided to revisit the poster I did for Finding Neverland. Here's the new, updated version! More details on the show here!
All-Out Yard War
Here's a killed cover I did for Penguin Random House. I think the final book was retitled simply "Yard War" and they ran a photo instead.
Virgin Mobile Christmas Advertising
Happy post-holidays to everyone! Here's a piece I did for Juniper Park's Virgin Mobile's Christmas campaign! The banner also ran separately from the crest and was put on the different marketing slogans that ran over photos.
Finding Neverland
I recently got a very cool assignment—to illustrate the key art for a Broadway musical! Here's the work I did for Finding Neverland, which stars Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammar, and Laura Michelle Kelly. Previews being on March 15th and the
Hit Count for Algonquin Books
Here's a new cover I designed for the book, Hit Count, for Algonquin Books. I did some Photoshop jujitsu to beat up a football helmet and hired my brother to do some cool 3D title typography. Hit Count comes out
My Middle School Book Gets a New Cover (and Title)
The book I illustrated last year has a new cover and title. It's now called Middle School: Big, Fat Liar. Check it out!
Discount on my Interior Book Design Class
Get 50% off my new Skillshare class, Book Design Basics: Styling Novel Interiors, for the next 7 days! Use promo code "BASELINE"!
Girl on a Wire
Since the author just did her cover reveal, I'm free to finally show you guys the cover I drew and designed for Girl on a Wire by Gwenda Bond, published by Amazon's Skyscape imprint! The book comes out on October
Skillshare class – Book Design Basics: Styling Novel Interiors
I'm psyched to announce my new Skillshare class, Book Design Basics: Styling Novel Interiors! In this class, I teach you how to design a novel interior starting from a simple Word document and turning it into a fully designed book, ready for
The Witch’s Boy
A new cover I art directed for Algonquin books. Illustrated and lettered by Jon Klassen.
The Rookie Bookie
Here's a new cover I illustrated and designed for Little, Brown for the novel, <em>The Rookie Bookie</em>. This one was particularly fun because I got to play with some cool textures in the typography and had a blast combining my art with photographic elements.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="http://neilswaab.com/rookie-bookie/#more-3226" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
A Creature of Moonlight: New Type
Hey, didn't realize they did some hand-lettering for A Creature of Moonlight before it went to press! So much cooler than the old version!
Rags & Bones Accepted into TDC’s Communication Design Competition!
Just got news that the book, <a href="http://neilswaab.com/portfolio/rags-bones/"><em>Rags & Bones</em></a>, that I art directed and designed for Little, Brown got a Certificate of Typographic Excellence from TDC's Communication Design Competition! And, of course, huge props to <a href="http://www.gmillustration.com" target="_blank">Grady McFerrin</a> who did the illustrations/hand-lettering! Here's what the full jacket looks like:<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="http://neilswaab.com/rags-bones-accepted-tdcs-communication-design-competition/#more-3200" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
Business of Illustration
Ten years ago, I started teaching a Professional Practices class for illustrators at Parsons the New School for Design. Since then, I’ve had many graduates come up to me, wishing they could repeat my course now that they’re out of
My Zombie Hamster
A quick zombie hamster illustration I did for Egmont USA. Below is how the designer used the final art:<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="http://neilswaab.com/zombie-hamster/#more-3183" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>