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Freelance Book Designer and Magazine Layout Design Services for Children and Adults

Tom Carling is an award-winning, New York-based publication art director and designer offering a full range of design, layout, and production services for publishers, institutional clients, and self-publishing authors.

Book Design

As a children’s nonfiction and young adult textbook designer, Tom blends eye-catching covers, compelling art, and smart layouts that spark curiosity and support learning. As a adult nonfiction book designer, he creates inspiring, distinctive publications that captivate readers. His design solutions are always fresh, creative, and distinct. For self-publishing authors Tom guides you seamlessly from concept to finished print or digital books.

Magazine Design

As a magazine designer, Tom draws on his early experience art directing a quarterly Star Wars fan magazine for Lucasfilm and his long collaboration with Sports Illustrated producing special advertising features. These days, he’s found a niche in alumni magazine design—start-ups, redesigns, and feature layouts—tailoring the brand identities of higher education institutions to engage target audiences and showcase their achievements.

Over the span of a two-decade plus career, Tom has designed and produced a sweeping array of books and magazines, and in close collaboration with publishers large and small, global brands, and self-published authors. His more prominent clients include:

They reward Carling Design by coming back time and again. “The average length of my relationship with my top five clients is 12 years. That’s longer than most marriages!”

Read why they choose to work with him.

what my clients have to say

“So who are your readers and how can I help you connect with them?”
Checkout Tom’s design services and how he works with clients.

What I Can Do for You

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