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Matt Dorfman

Art Director, Designer, Illustrator

Matt Dorfman is a designer, artist, and Art Director for the New York Times Book Review, having previously served as the Art Director for the New York Times Op-Ed page. Dorfman also operates his one-person office specializing in culture-centric projects and storytelling under the name Metalmother, a choice inspired by a Guided By Voices song that notably lodged itself in his head throughout most of his twenties.

His portfolio is extensive, having collaborated with high-profile clients such as The New York Times, Serial, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, The New Yorker, Penguin, Pantheon, The Washington Post, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Knopf, Random House, New York Magazine, Vintage + Anchor Books, New Directions, The AtlanticPlayboyTimeVanity FairEsquire, Scribner, Verso, and W.W. Norton, among others. Matt Dorfman’s contributions to the field were recognized with the Richard Gangel Award for Art Direction from the Society of Illustrators in 2022, underscoring his influence and excellence in art direction.

Matt Dorfman’s work has been featured across various platforms, including It’s Nice That, The Biblio File Podcast, NY Times Book Review Podcast, NPR, AIGA Eye On Design, The Weird Show, WiredAmerican Illustration, WAMU, and Print Magazine. This widespread recognition highlights his impactful designs and illustrations that resonate with a broad audience. Furthermore, he has engaged in speaking engagements and shared his expertise at institutions and forums like ADC, Blue Cadet / AIGA Philadelphia, SOI/SPD, DSVC, Type Director’s Club, and the Syracuse University Illustration Symposium.

Dorfman has designed covers for a variety of notable books. Some of his work includes Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson, and The Secret World of Oil by Ken Silverstein.

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Matt Dorfman

Art Director, Designer, Illustrator

Matt Dorfman is a designer, artist, and Art Director for the New York Times Book Review, having previously served as the Art Director for the New York Times Op-Ed page. Dorfman also operates his one-person office specializing in culture-centric projects and storytelling under the name Metalmother, a choice inspired by a Guided By Voices song that notably lodged itself in his head throughout most of his twenties.

His portfolio is extensive, having collaborated with high-profile clients such as The New York Times, Serial, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, The New Yorker, Penguin, Pantheon, The Washington Post, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Knopf, Random House, New York Magazine, Vintage + Anchor Books, New Directions, The AtlanticPlayboyTimeVanity FairEsquire, Scribner, Verso, and W.W. Norton, among others. Matt Dorfman’s contributions to the field were recognized with the Richard Gangel Award for Art Direction from the Society of Illustrators in 2022, underscoring his influence and excellence in art direction.

Matt Dorfman’s work has been featured across various platforms, including It’s Nice That, The Biblio File Podcast, NY Times Book Review Podcast, NPR, AIGA Eye On Design, The Weird Show, WiredAmerican Illustration, WAMU, and Print Magazine. This widespread recognition highlights his impactful designs and illustrations that resonate with a broad audience. Furthermore, he has engaged in speaking engagements and shared his expertise at institutions and forums like ADC, Blue Cadet / AIGA Philadelphia, SOI/SPD, DSVC, Type Director’s Club, and the Syracuse University Illustration Symposium.

Dorfman has designed covers for a variety of notable books. Some of his work includes Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson, and The Secret World of Oil by Ken Silverstein.

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Designer Requirements

Only a carefully curated group of designers are given access to the creative briefs posted on the INABC Jobs Board. This system ensures that clients receive top-notch, focused proposals from professionals whose talents have been vetted

All designers who will be bidding on your cover design have applied to receive job notifications and have been approved by the INABC admin team. Our approved designers:

  • Are professional book cover designers, not simply generalist graphic designers.
  • Have been working in the industry for a minimum of 3 years, usually more.
  • Must demonstrate a contemporary aesthetic, creating work that feels current and relevant to today’s book design market. We seek professionals who stay informed on industry trends while pushing boundaries with innovative, forward-thinking designs. Our designers know that our clients are not looking for designs that feel “dated.”
  • Work on multiple book cover projects in any given month
  • Are committed to delivering high-quality, original designs tailored to each client’s unique vision. 
  • Do NOT sell or offer book cover premades. At INABC, we do not condone the offering of pre-made book covers. We are fans of highly bespoke cover work.
  • Do NOT use AI-generated imagery in their commercial work.
  • Have accessible online portfolios showcasing book cover work that are easy for anyone to review.
  • Have extensive experience working with self-publishing authors AND commercial presses.
  • Are available and excited to receive these weekly briefs.

If you are contacted by a designer that doesn’t align with the requirements described above, we ask that you please contact the INABC admin team at ineedabookcover.assistant@gmail.com.

Designer Disclaimer

INABC is not a full-service design agency. It’s a curated directory that helps you connect directly with talented freelance designers. Each designer handles their own pricing, process, and contracts. We encourage you to communicate clearly with your chosen designer and to review their portfolio carefully to make sure they’re a good fit for your project. Designers and authors are expected to draft, negotiate, and sign their own contracts to ensure that expectations, deliverables, and rights are clearly outlined before any work begins.

While we do our best to curate a talented community, INABC is not involved in the collaborations that follow and we cannot guarantee the outcome of individual projects with specific designers. If you run into an issue with a designer that you find from using INABC, we are open to learning about your experience, but ultimately, INABC will not be involved in any specific disputes. For more information, visit the For Authors page and read our Terms & Conditions.

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