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The Look of The Irish

A Guest Post

The Look of The Irish

A Guest Post

Happy ☘️ Saint Patrick’s Day!

To celebrate, I asked talented Irishman, Jack Smyth, to share a few of his favorite book covers that were designed by fellow Irish designers.

“I’ve always thought that for such a small country (roughly 5 million people), Ireland has always punched above its weight in the arts. Films, books, painters, actors, poets, playwrights – the sheer number of Irish people operating in these roles at the highest of levels is quite a surprise – just look at this year’s Oscar nominations.

After moving back to Ireland from the UK last year, I’m enjoying discovering that the same goes for book cover designers. For St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve curated a list of Irish Book Cover Designers, along with a selection of past covers from Ireland’s rich publishing history. Huge thanks to Niall McCormak’s Vintage Irish Book Covers blog for the details on many of these. Seo duit, a chairde.”

Past

Design by Anne Yeats, 1977
Design by Cor Klassen
Design by Leo Manso, 1961
Design by Martin Collins, 1967
Design by Roísín Daly, 1973
Design by AóM (Austin Molloy), 1933
Design by WG Spencer, 1968

Present

Design by Sarahmay Wilkinson, 2021
Design by Niall McCormack
Design by Fiachra McCarthy, 2022

+ Fiachra’s interview with Totally Dublin

Design by Anna Morrison, 2021
Design by Graham Thew, 2022

+ Graham’s interview with Totally Dublin

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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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