I've been designing book covers and interiors for a long time now, but even with extensive experience, I can say I'm still constantly learning with each new project. As a designer and an art director, my role takes on all aspects of design, from concept to final, and often times photo illustrating and retouching. My experience extends to working with and hiring illustrators, designers, photographers, and directing photo shoots.   

Making a book is a team effort and I approach every project by carefully listening to all design directives, ideas and concerns. I listen, filter, then design combining my own sense of direction. I find book design rewarding, I guess it’s the book as a whole, the jacket, cover, and interior (and of course the story) as one cohesive package.

   

Shortly after college (Tyler School of Art), I got married and started my first in-house publishing job in NYC, which after 2 years I got the urge to become a freelancer, along with my spouse. We worked under the name Hotfoot Studio for many years, but I am now freelancing solo and my spouse has a grown-up job as an art teacher. I took a break from being self-employed in 2010 and entered the workplace as Senior Designer at Disney-Hyperion where I designed children’s picture books, and young adult and middle grade fiction. After almost 4 years, I left Disney and returned to freelancing. Being self employed allows me the opportunity to work on various projects, while gaining new experiences with each one, and to offer clients resources that they may not have in-house. I have regular business hours, so I’m always available to my clients, but will also work late to get a project done on time.   

I currently live/work in Katonah, NY, with my husband David Hughes (a ceramicist/art teacher), our son (a musician) and a bernedoodle named Dyna.

Contact me for job inquiries or just to say “hi” tanyarosshughes@icloud.com