Hi, I’m Debra Cartwright, an art director and illustrator with 10+ years of experience guiding visual direction across children’s publishing, editorial, and brand work. I illustrated the cover for The Hate U Give, a #1 New York Times bestseller that was adapted into a major film, and I’ve created book covers for Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Canongate. I collaborate closely with editors and licensors to maintain strong, cohesive visuals across high‑volume lists. I’ve directed and mentored freelance designers and photographers, maintained visual standards across campaigns, and worked with licensed properties. My fine art practice has been shown at Art Basel and Frieze LA, and I teach painting and drawing as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University, guiding students in technical skill and creative development.

Debra Cartwright

Hi, I’m Debra Cartwright, an art director and illustrator with 10+ years of experience guiding visual direction across children’s publishing, editorial, and brand work. I illustrated the cover for The Hate U Give, a #1 New York Times bestseller that was adapted into a major film, and I’ve created book covers for Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Canongate. I collaborate closely with editors and licensors to maintain strong, cohesive visuals across high‑volume lists. I’ve directed and mentored freelance designers and photographers, maintained visual standards across campaigns, and worked with licensed properties. My fine art practice has been shown at Art Basel and Frieze LA, and I teach painting and drawing as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University, guiding students in technical skill and creative development.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Debra Cartwright, an art director and illustrator with 10+ years of experience guiding visual direction across children’s publishing, editorial, and brand work. I illustrated the cover for The Hate U Give, a #1 New York Times bestseller that was adapted into a major film, and I’ve created book covers for Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Canongate. I collaborate closely with editors and licensors to maintain strong, cohesive visuals across high‑volume lists.

I’ve directed and mentored freelance designers and photographers, maintained visual standards across campaigns, and worked with licensed properties. My fine art practice has been shown at Art Basel and Frieze LA, and I teach painting and drawing as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University, guiding students in technical skill and creative development.

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Work Experience

Independent Illustrator & Art Director at Self-Employed
January 1, 2016 - Present
Illustrated book covers for Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Canongate across YA, middle grade, and adult nonfiction including The Hate U Give, a #1 NYT bestseller; created editorial illustrations for The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Vogue Spain; art directed and commissioned freelance designers and photographers for brand and campaign projects; developed brand illustration and campaign assets for McDonald’s x Essence Festival; managed multiple concurrent projects across publishing, editorial, and brand clients including HBO, HarperCollins, and The New York Times.
Art Director at Essence Magazine
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Led visual direction for Essence Festival of New Orleans, overseeing environmental graphics, digital assets, and multi-platform campaigns; art directed photographers, illustrators, and freelance designers, managing production timelines and maintaining brand consistency across all deliverables; designed social media, email, and web campaigns; directed motion graphics and short film content via After Effects for social campaigns.
Designer at People.com · Time Inc.
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2016
Designed social media campaigns, digital graphics, video assets, and interactive editorial visuals; conceptualized and art directed Snapchat Discover channel content; collaborated with editorial teams on weekly content including illustrated features and infographics.
Designer at Condé Nast Media Group
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2013
Designed integrated marketing campaigns for national brands including Delta and Pantene; produced motion graphics using Adobe After Effects for branded content initiatives.
Adjunct Professor, Painting & Drawing at Rutgers University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2026
Taught undergraduate Painting I–II and Drawing Fundamentals; mentored students on technical skill and creative development.

Education

MFA at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - May 11, 2026
BA at University of Virginia
January 11, 2030 - May 11, 2026
AA at Parsons at School of Design
January 11, 2030 - May 11, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services