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Hi, I’m James Kelly, a publishing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience crafting creative and compelling work for children's books and education. I excel in illustration, concept development, and design across print, digital, and multimedia, and I’ve earned multiple awards for book covers, educational media, and classroom materials. Beyond my day job, I’m an avid illustrator and painter, with a passion for 3D print design and miniatures. I bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to every project, blending storytelling with visual communication to help brands launch and audiences learn.…Hi, I’m James Kelly, a publishing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience crafting creative and compelling work for children's books and education. I excel in illustration, concept development, and design across print, digital, and multimedia, and I’ve earned multiple awards for book covers, educational media, and classroom materials. Beyond my day job, I’m an avid illustrator and painter, with a passion for 3D print design and miniatures. I bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to every project, blending storytelling with visual communication to help brands launch and audiences learn.

James Kelly

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Hi, I’m James Kelly, a publishing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience crafting creative and compelling work for children's books and education. I excel in illustration, concept development, and design across print, digital, and multimedia, and I’ve earned multiple awards for book covers, educational media, and classroom materials. Beyond my day job, I’m an avid illustrator and painter, with a passion for 3D print design and miniatures. I bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to every project, blending storytelling with visual communication to help brands launch and audiences learn.…Hi, I’m James Kelly, a publishing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience crafting creative and compelling work for children's books and education. I excel in illustration, concept development, and design across print, digital, and multimedia, and I’ve earned multiple awards for book covers, educational media, and classroom materials. Beyond my day job, I’m an avid illustrator and painter, with a passion for 3D print design and miniatures. I bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to every project, blending storytelling with visual communication to help brands launch and audiences learn.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m James Kelly, a publishing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience crafting creative and compelling work for children’s books and education. I excel in illustration, concept development, and design across print, digital, and multimedia, and I’ve earned multiple awards for book covers, educational media, and classroom materials.

Beyond my day job, I’m an avid illustrator and painter, with a passion for 3D print design and miniatures. I bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to every project, blending storytelling with visual communication to help brands launch and audiences learn.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

Work Experience

Illustrator and Designer - Children’s book series at Morgan Publishing

January 1, 2021 - Present

Illustration and design for a series of Children's books.

Senior Designer at Inksplash LLC

December 1, 2022 - Present

Remote senior designer.

Remote Senior Designer at Vista Higher Learning

February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020

Activity Card design.

Remote Senior Designer at McGraw Hill

February 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020

QBS - Workstation Activity Card Design and Illustration.

Remote Senior Designer - Religious Program at Symmetry

July 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Christ In Us program.

Remote Senior Designer at QBS Learning

February 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019

Design work for Grammar and beyond project; Cambridge University - Red Nova.

Senior Designer at Double Ink

March 1, 2017 - December 1, 2017

Pearson miVision Spanish Language Design, Grades 3-5.

Remote Senior Designer at Ann Gallagher, Silver Linings Design

January 1, 2017 - November 1, 2017

Freelance Illustrator, Children's Book about the loss of a pet 'Tip and Blue'.

Senior Designer at Symmetry

February 1, 2016 - October 1, 2016

Various projects for Pearson (Next Generation Science Program).

Senior Designer at QBS Learning

April 1, 2015 - September 1, 2015

P1 design work; Cambridge University Press, Grammar and Beyond project.

Senior Designer at McGraw Hill Education

March 1, 2014 - November 1, 2015

Music Program Design.

Senior Designer at Double Ink

January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014

Design Lead for Interactive Science and Social Studies Program. New Generation Science and Social Studies. Created boardroom and courtroom multimedia presentations including video and text synced depositions for enhanced understanding.

Senior Designer at Pearson

June 1, 2012 - December 1, 2012

Redesign of Literature Series for Seventh and Eighth Grade students.

Art Director, Senior Designer at Integra NY

September 1, 2011 - December 1, 2012

Art Director, Senior Designer.

Graphic Designer at Nickelodeon Magazine, Nick Jr. Magazine

June 1, 1998 - August 1, 2002

Designed Ads for Marketing and Promotions Division for Nick Jr. Magazine.

Graphic Designer, Art Director at Jordan Educational Media

December 1, 1997 - September 1, 1999

Designing classroom posters and magazines for Disney and Orion Pictures.