Get to know John, Tellwell Publishing’s design and illustration manager. From balancing creativity and structure to leading two dynamic teams, John shares insights into his role, challenges, and what keeps him inspired.
Can you tell us a little about being a design manager at Tellwell Publishing?
One word can sum it all up, CHALLENGING. Handling two different creative teams simultaneously is a great challenge. From project management down to quality control, you’ll have to be prepared for anything that comes your way each day, ensuring that both teams operate seamlessly like a well-oiled machine.
What is a typical day like as the manager of both the book design and illustrations teams?
I begin my day well before my team, which allows me to handle all communication tasks without interruptions. From emails to slack messages regarding project requests, I can plan ahead on what we should be prioritizing for the day. When the team starts their shift, we always hold team huddles to discuss the day’s plan and any issues we’ve encountered from the previous day. Throughout the rest of the day, I ensure everything runs smoothly and provide support as needed.
How do you approach balancing creativity and structure when leading two different creative teams?
Balancing both is an ongoing effort. You’ll need to have a clear goal for the team, but on the other hand you have to be flexible and be able to adapt to new creative ideas. I always encourage my team to think outside the box, but not totally deviate from our standard process.
How do you keep all teams aligned on project goals and timelines during the design process?
Communication is the key. That is why our team huddles are so important. They help us prepare for the day’s tasks and allow me to assess each team’s manpower, making necessary adjustments to their workload as needed.
What’s a recent project you’re particularly proud of, and what made it special?
One project I can think of is Cal Devney’s book. It’s a kid’s book illustrated by Veronika, one of the best illustrators we have here at Tellwell. Her book received a finalist award during the International Book Awards, and knowing that it was illustrated, designed, and printed by us feels extra special.
What inspires your work and keeps you motivated in the department?
It’s probably my passion for book design and the challenges that come with it. Collaborating on new ideas and solving issues can be overwhelming at times, but once you overcome these challenges, it is quite rewarding.
How do you manage feedback from multiple teams, such as project managers and marketing, while staying true to the author’s vision?
Our team is always open for new ideas. But in order for our team to stay focused on the vision, I always see to it that I prioritize feedback that is aligned with our goal and the author’s vision. One way is setting up meetings where we can discuss and encourage collaboration across departments.
How do you ensure the final designs align with an author’s vision while maintaining high-quality standards?
We have a design process in place to make sure that our designs meet our high quality standards. This process doesn’t just involve my team, but different departments as well. From project managers down to our printing manager, each stage is designed to encourage cross-department collaboration, making sure that every detail has been meticulously checked before sending it out to our authors.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers or illustrators looking to join a publishing industry?
Have a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and talent. Be persistent and patient, keep improving your skills and, most importantly, stay focused on your goals. Being successful in the publishing industry often takes time and a lot of effort.
Outside of work, do you have any creative hobbies or interests that influence your approach to design?
Playing video games. I get a lot of ideas just by looking at the user interfaces of some of these games: how the designers used font styles to align with the genre, etc. And reading books (or browsing), as my wife is an avid reader of fiction books.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Tellwell Publishing team?
The sense of camaraderie at Tellwell is truly remarkable. Being part of this team feels like having a second family, where we share together each success and there is always a helping hand when you need one. And what makes it more special is the unique culture that we’ve cultivated through the years.
