• The ECC Questionnaire

Rachel Zegar, Senior Designer at HarperCollins Children’s Books. | December 12, 2013

What was your first job in children’s publishing? How did you climb the ranks to senior designer?
I was first hired as a design assistant in the Children’s Books Department at HarperCollins. From there, I was promoted to assistant designer, designer and senior designer.

 How long have you worked at Harper Children’s?
10 years!

 What was the first book you worked on at Harper?
The first book I ever touched was O Holy Night: Christmas With the Boys Choir of Harlem by Faith Ringgold, which I scanned the art for. It was amazing seeing the book when it was finally published after actually handling the art. The first picture book I designed on my own was Ten Naughty Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams and illustrated by Suzanne Watts. I now read that book to my son at least once a week!

Can you describe your typical day?
Coffee, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, emailing illustrators, sending books out to the printer, meetings with editors, color correcting, more coffee, and lots of paper cuts.

What’s one skill you’ve acquired in your job that you never thought you’d need?Learning copy editing marks.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Never fall in love with an idea. Designers have to employ this advice A LOT since there are so many people giving input on the project. In the end, it’s the author and illustrator’s book, so we have to respect their desires. I have learned how to better argue for my ideas as my career has progressed, though.

What is one of the worst (it doesn’t have to be the worst) mistake you’ve made? How did you get beyond it?
Years ago, I designed a book about a dog using photography, and I didn’t notice that one of the dogs had his “lipstick” showing. Luckily, it was caught in an f&g by a customer, and we fixed it before the final printing!

 Is there a designer or illustrator who’s work you really admire? Why?
Jessica Hische is an amazing hand letterer. Everything she touches is beautiful! Check out her work here ▸▸

What is your favorite word?
OK’d or OK (meaning approved!)

What was your favorite book as a child?
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson was my favorite book. I remember asking my mom to borrow it from the library every week, and it’s probably why my favorite color is purple. I also loved The Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak. Pierre was my favorite out of the four books. One of my fondest memories at Harper was actually when I met Maurice Sendak. It was only for a minute but he signed two books for me and made me promise not to sell them — he had a great sense of humor. The books are now on display out of reach in my son’s room until he learns that books are not for chewing and ripping.

What are you reading now? Or what was the last book you read you really enjoyed?Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Don’t worry, I won’t give any spoilers!