SOME MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT RYDER DESIGN
I’m an award-winning, multi-disciplinary graphic designer with extensive experience across the design industry. As a specialist in pre-press production and book design, I create impactful, high-quality visual communication for a wide range of clients – from global brands and publishers to local businesses and start-ups.
Over the years, I’ve held senior creative roles including Studio Manager, Senior Designer, Head of Design, and Creative Director within agencies, publishing houses, and traditional reprographics. In 2017, I founded Ryder Design, offering freelance graphic design services with a focus on book and editorial design. Since then, I’ve built a reputation for reliable, creative, and efficient design solutions.
I’m passionate about what I do – organised, fast, accurate, and a strategic thinker who thrives on collaboration. I’m always excited to take on new projects and work with forward-thinking clients and creative teams.
Clients have included: Amber Books, Bradt Guides, Sandstone Press, And Other Stories, fotoVUE, Okapi Books, Vertebrate Publishing, Rab & Lowe Alpine, Mountain Equipment, John Muir Trust, the Alpine Club, the BMC, Alpkit, Jagged Globe, Scarpa, Berghaus, Deuter, Wild Country, UIAA, the National Trust, Sir Chris Bonington, Artery Digital, Sheffield University, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield College, Zilico, Nuclear AMRC, ESSE, Young's, McVitie's and many more.
Let’s work together – your next project is in safe, experienced hands.
WHAT I CAN OFFER YOU
Looking for expert graphic design, publishing, or book design services? I’d love to hear about your project.
I offer a broad range of creative solutions at competitive rates – whether you need print design, editorial layout, brand assets, or large-format printing for posters, banners, exhibition displays, vehicle wraps, or signage. If you don’t see a specific service listed, just ask – if I can’t help directly, I’ll likely know someone who can.
Design agencies: if you’re looking for reliable freelance support to ease your workflow, I bring speed, accuracy, and years of hands-on industry experience. Let’s chat and see how I can help your team deliver outstanding results.
BOOK DESIGN
Book Design is a highly specialised discipline – if it's not done right it shows! I can design and produce your print or eBooks to the highest professional standards. I can project-manage your whole book and I have specialist publishing contacts who can manage the print and delivery of them.
EXHIBITIONS / DISPLAYS / POSTERS
Exhibitions can be expensive – I can offer great design coupled with competitive rates on high-quality large-format printing for posters, banners, pop-ups, exhibition displays and all types of signage.
BROCHURES / MAGAZINES / FLYERS
Old Skool will never die! Believe it or not, people still love to read from real pages whether it's a brochure, magazine, book or flyer. I live for print; the feel of it; the look of it; and yes, the smell of it … yeah, yeah, yeah I can hear you – "what a geek".
EDITING / COPYWRITING / PROOFREADING
I work with a professional editor who has edited award-winning titles. An A level English tutor for over 13 years, she still teaches part-time in school and gives private tuition. NB: I wrote my own copy for this site – any mistakes are mine! (and I didn’t use Ai to write it either).
ADVERTISING
If people don't know you exist they're not going to find you. Advertising works – digital or traditional print, you just have to do it. Don't rely on search engines to list you – advertise! I can produce a campaign that will bring you new business.
T-SHIRT DESIGN
People like to convey a message or express a feeling through what they wear – T-shirts are a good way of showing loyalty to a brand, idea, product or just that you have a sense of humour.
BRANDING / LOGOS / CORPORATE ID
It's true – your brand is so important. It's not just a logo quickly thrown together that doesn't mean anything. It certainly should not be an 'off-the-shelf' branding template you just add your name to. Get one that is bespoke; get it done professionally – it's your shop window and you want people to come in.
ARTWORKING / LAYOUT / TYPESETTING
It's incredibly important that your artwork is done correctly and is error-free. There are few designers that would admit they're not that keen on artworking; they want to do the pretty, creative stuff. Well, same here. That said, I do offer high-quality artworking – I'm precise, quick, knowledgeable and efficient.
WEB / DIGITAL DESIGN
As a Squarespace Circle Silver Partner, I specialise in creating high-quality Squarespace websites tailored to your needs. I also provide expert Squarespace SEO services to help enhance your site's visibility.
If you prefer a custom solution, I offer professional website UI (User Interface) design. For development and coding, I collaborate with experienced web developers to ensure a seamless and fully functional final product.
If you require new digital assets – such as graphics, advertisements, or landing pages – for your existing website or social media platforms, I can design and deliver those as well.
MY PRICING
I offer flexible pricing based on your project’s needs – typically either a day rate or an hourly rate for smaller tasks. To provide an accurate, no-obligation quote, just get in touch and let me know what you're looking for. I’ll outline the cost clearly, and you can decide if it’s the right fit for you – no pressure, ever.
Just to keep things clear:
I’m friendly, fair, and easy to work with. My rates reflect years of professional training and experience. This is how I make my living, so I don’t take on unpaid work or speculative pitches – but I do work hard, communicate clearly, and enjoy bringing a bit of humour to the creative process.
Also, a small selection of my T-shirt designs is available to purchase via Threadless
“So many people told me to get my book cover designed professionally, and as soon as I got the first suggestions from Nathan I understood why. He produced six designs all of which really impressed me. Two stood out and I narrowed it down to the final cover after a couple of days. I am delighted with the final product and everything he did was excellent. He also gave me some really good suggestions which I would never have thought of. It was a pleasure working with Nathan and hopefully we will collaborate again when the second book is ready. I would definitely recommend Nathan to anyone who is looking for book cover or any graphic design work.”
Michael Burgess – Author
“I have worked with Nathan since the beginning of fotoVUE in 2014. Since then, we have published 23 titles. He has designed all our book templates and has laid out the majority of our titles. He is professional, reliable and talented – he’s an integral part of the fotoVUE business. His costs are reasonable and because of his vast experience in book design he is our guarantee that everything goes right at the printers.”
Mick Ryan – Director fotoVUE Limited
“Nathan has designed and managed books through to print on scores of occasions for Vertebrate Publishing, including the best-selling small guides series, the bedrock of our business. He expertly combines creativity, attention to detail and book publishing experience. Highly recommended.”
Jon Barton – Director Vertebrate Publishing Ltd.
“I have worked with Nathan for over twenty years. During that time, he has designed websites, corporate identities, flyers, brochures, books, and more. His work has been at the heart of more successful projects than I can name.
Nathan is exceptionally professional and diligent, yet he balances this with an informed, refined and joyful eye for design.”
Simon Norris – Director Littlefire Digital Ltd.