Sam Thurlow

Media & Design Manager

Kevin Mayhew Publishers • Full time

Jan 2021 - Feb 2026 • 5 yrs 1 mo

During my five years as an in-house designer at a publishing company, I developed extensive experience in creating professional, print-ready designs across a wide range of formats, including book covers, interior layouts, marketing materials, and promotional assets. I became highly proficient in typography, page composition, and visual storytelling, ensuring each design enhanced the reader’s experience while aligning with the publisher’s brand and the author’s vision. Working across multiple titles simultaneously strengthened my ability to manage deadlines effectively, maintain consistency, and deliver high-quality work under pressure. I collaborated closely with editors, authors, and production teams, which sharpened both my communication skills and my understanding of the full publishing workflow, from initial manuscript to final print. I gained strong technical knowledge in preparing files for print, including colour management, prepress checks, and liaising with printers to ensure accurate reproduction. This role also developed my ability to interpret creative briefs, problem-solve efficiently, and adapt my design approach to suit different genres, audiences, and commercial objectives, resulting in visually compelling and market-ready publications. Alongside my design work, my experience in photography and videography brought an additional layer of visual awareness and technical versatility to my role. Having a strong understanding of composition, lighting, colour grading, and visual narrative allowed me to create designs that felt more dynamic, immersive, and commercially effective. It also enabled me to contribute to the creation and editing of photographic assets, promotional videos, and multimedia content, ensuring visual consistency across both print and digital platforms.