I'm a self taught illustrator and designer specialising in childrens books.
I have over 20+ years working in children's book publishing.
After learning the ropes as a studio junior doing paste-up and darkroom duties for signs and packaging, I finally got the perfect job as a designer. I was employed as a designer for a childrens book publishers called Grandreams Books Ltd based in Kentish Town, London. I loved it. I was designing childrens books and annuals. I also illustrated a character of my own called Teddy and developed my own range of preschool activity books. Teddy became quite popular and is still in print today.
I relocated to Bath to work for Robert Frederick Ltd where
I continued book and stationery design for both generic and licensed titles. I worked for Parragon for four years on childrens licensed books in the Disney team. I decided my passion was illustrating so I was welcomed back to work for North Parade Publishing where I was given the opportunity to develop my own character art and illustration.
One of my first illustration projects here was The Animal Patch.
It started off as one single sketch of a cute giraffe with patches on. I drew more and more animals and it quickly developed into
a very successful range of childrens books, stationery and even plush toys.
With all this valuable experience I am now a very versatlile freelance illustrator and designer. Working from very little brief,
I can provide the full package from new concept ideas through
to the finished product. My illustrations are combined with my
own hand drawn sketches and Photoshop. I create all my own cover and internal designs and also write rhymes and short stories. I am able to supply all sales and marketing material
and mock ups.
I love to create books and always looking for a gap in the market for something new. My aim is to add something extra to a book to make it more appealing to the child, by adding more play value or helping reading skills. I also try to make the book appeal to the adult by adding something reminiscent of their childhood or making it into something they can give as a gift or keepsake. And of course value for money. I am always full of new ideas mostly inspired by my five beautiful daughters!
As you browse through my work you will see only a handful of the range of products I have produced over the years. Each of the books featured have been illustrated, written and designed by myself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.
JO JOOF
Illustrator and designer
