Tyler Comrie's considered and communicative book covers and editorial illustration

Tyler Comrie is a New York-based designer who specialises in book covers and editorial commission. Since graduating form the NYC School of Visual Arts in 2013 he has worked in-house at the art department of publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and has produced illustrations for the likes of the New York Times, Buzzfeed, AIGA and bag company LOQI. “Each brief, whether a cover, illustration, or a larger project is a unique situation that demands its own approach, which is usually set by the tone or subject matter of the piece of writing being responded to,” says Tyler. “The goal is always to push things forward—producing something new or unexpected, while still respecting the tone and writing of the text.”

His work is communicates messages with ease, and he is able to move effortlessly between type and illustration. This clarity is achieved through careful research and understanding of the information Tyler’s work relates to. “I start by reading the brief, whether that be a manuscript for a book or a news article. I try and narrow down whatever it was that I read to a few words or a sentence, to find a theme or idea to latch on to. Then I sketch, which becomes a kind of frantic scribbling of ideas and a race against approaching deadlines,” explains Tyler. “Next I select a few of those ideas and try to execute them in a style reflecting the tone or mood of the text. Sometimes I can clearly visualise the outcome of these drafts in my head; other times they are more vague and I have to work them out on screen.”

So much of Tyler’s editorial work relates to current affairs and despite the current concerns that are apparent in his work and the design industry, he feels that there is cause for optimism. “There’s a lot of anxiety right now behind our current political situation. It’s palpable the moment you wake up and walk out the door in the morning—people are nervous and anxious about the future. It’s been inspiring to see how that anxiety has pushed us to come together and organise and stand up for what we think is right,” he says. “Creativity is especially important—not only as a tool for change, but as a means of therapy and unity. We all need support and to know we are not alone. Creativity brings people together, which is an integral catalyst to change.”