Q&A with Louise Jackson

Can you briefly tell us what a Designer does?
A designer is basically a visual communicator. A large part of my job involves working with authors and illustrators on the design of their books, helping them to realize their vision of the book whilst creating something that is commercially viable. Design decisions are involved in all aspects of the book making process, from text and image placement, choosing the typeface, designing the cover, through to the format of the book and the type of paper it will be printed on. A well designed book really steers the reader through, the visual process is equally important as the words in telling the story.

Novelty books offer different challenges. As well as an author and illustrator there’s a paper engineer involved in making the pop-ups, and all sorts of physical problem solving to do with the construction of the book, making the production price work, and overcoming any safety issues. All our pop-up books are hand assembled in the Far East and there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with mock-ups until we get it right. It’s also a challenge for an artist working on a pop-up book for the first time, as they have to do the art in pieces. It’s my job to help them through this process.

How did you get into publishing and into your current job?
I always knew I wanted to work in children’s publishing. I managed to get some unpaid work experience whilst I was still at college and that helped me get my first job. Early on in my career I moved around a lot, working for different publishers, trying to get as much experience on as many kinds of books as possible. I was always a huge fan of Walker books, so getting a job here was very exciting. That was 12 years ago.

Can you give us a  sneek-peek into what you are working on at the moment?
I’ve just finished working on a very exciting pop-up book of Flanimals, by Ricky Gervais. I’ve been designing a cover for Goldilocks, by Emma Chichester Clark, which has the most wonderful illustrations. I’ve also been working on Be Beautiful, written by beauty journalist Alice Hart Davies and her teenage daughter Molly. It’s basically a complete guide for teens to looking and feeling great. That’s been tremendous fun, and different in that it’s mainly photographic so we’ve had to shoot most of the pictures.

Is there any aspect of your job that you would like to change?
When I was at University I had some terrible summer jobs. I remember a particularly grim August working on a production line packing in-flight meals at Manchester airport! So going to work and doing something that you’re passionate about is fantastic. If I had to change one thing, I guess I’d have a bit more time. Those deadlines don’t go away!

What has been your favourite book/project to work on so far?
There are too many to say. Each book is unique, and I’m lucky in that I get to work on a wide range of projects - picture books and novelty books, through to teenage non-fiction and baby books. It really spans the ages, and each type of book needs a different mix of design skills.

Looking back to the beginning of your career is there any advice that you wish you were given?
Don't give up. When I graduated it was in the middle of a recession and jobs were thin on the ground, but it's important keep sight of where you want to be and to keep trying. You'll get there in the end.

How can our readers get a job like yours?
They can go to Art College and get a degree. But I think it’s equally important to have a passion for, and an understanding of, children’s books. It sounds obvious, but it’s astonishing how many people come for interviews with no knowledge of the market. I also think that it’s really important to work for different companies. I gained a completely different set of skills working for a small publisher, where everyone chips in and the roles are much less clearly defined than in a big organisation. It gives you an overview of how the whole business works.

What sparked your love of books?
When I was a child I had an aunty who bought me books every Christmas and birthday. I still remember the excitement of opening a new book and being transported into another world.

What was your favourite book as a child?
So many. The Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach; Alf Proysen's Mrs Pepperpot series; Enid Blyton, especially the Famous Five. I’m re-reading all my favourites to my own children. Reading a book out loud at the end of the day is such a relaxing thing to do and I think I’m enjoying them just as much the second time around.

What was the last book you read (not for work)?
Haruki Murakami’s What I talk about when I talk about Running (I bought it in the lead up to the London Marathon, which I ran for charity). It’s really his philosophy on life: it gives a great insight into the motivation behind his two passions, writing and running, and is beautifully written.

If you could be any fictional character who would it be and why?
I think I'll change species completely and become Bodger, the dog in The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford. It was another of my favourite books as a child, a fabulous adventure story of 3 animals making an epic 300 mile journey through the Canadian Wilderness. I remember him as brave, loyal and tenacious - not bad qualities to strive for.