April Ward
About April Ward
April Ward is the Executive Art Director at Penguin Random House, with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry specializing in book cover design and visual storytelling.
Title
April Ward is the Executive Art Director at Penguin Random House.
Professional Experience at Penguin Random House
Since joining Penguin Random House, April Ward has played a significant role in the visual branding and design of numerous bestselling books. She collaborates closely with renowned authors and illustrators, contributing to the creation of compelling book covers. Her work includes the redesign of several major book series covers, which has enhanced their market appeal. April also mentors junior designers and interns, fostering new talent in the industry.
Previous Experience
April Ward has amassed over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. From 2008 to 2018, she served as Art Director at Macmillan. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Designer at Harcourt Trade Publishers from 2005 to 2008, and at Barnes & Noble from 2003 to 2005. She began her career as a Designer at North South Books for three years and then as a Design Assistant at HarperCollins Publishers from 1999 to 2000.
Education and Expertise
April Ward graduated from Pratt Institute with a BA in Communication Design in 2000. Her strong background in both traditional and digital design techniques enables her to develop versatile and innovative design solutions. She actively participates in industry conferences and workshops, sharing her expertise in book design and art direction.
Industry Involvement
April Ward is actively involved in industry conferences and workshops, where she shares her extensive knowledge and expertise in book design and art direction. Her participation in these events highlights her commitment to the advancement of the publishing design community.