Hi! I’m Emily.

Do you need a report or self-published novel designed with meticulous care? A reliable artworker to collaborate with your team? Perhaps some bespoke illustrations for impact and charm? I can help.

As an experienced and versatile creative freelancer, my goal is to help you tell your story in a way that is both functional and beautiful. I work with teams and individuals, specialising in illustrative design and layout for print and online publications.

Let’s chat!

Publications & layout

I’m a book-lover from way back and relish all things typographic. From cover design and illustration through to typesetting, financials, layout, production and pre-press, I take your publication from idea to finished piece. Includes proofreading and design for e-pub documents and interactive pdfs.

Europlan Workplace Strategy brochure
The Material Mansfield - hardcover book
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The Trouble Lamp - poetry by Richard Langston
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NZ Festival of the Arts programme
Poetry books by Richard Langston
ICNZ Annual Report

Illustration

Bespoke illustrations in a variety of styles and media to fit the project, including a wide range of graphics for e-learning and instructional modules. I am continually developing my skills, combining illustrated elements with hand-drawn letters and subtle motion to bring the message alive. I sell repeat pattern designs in my online shop.

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Featured projects

Click below for more detailed examples.

Testimonials

  • "I've worked with Emily for many years because I can trust her to get a job done efficiently and to a high standard. She is a talented illustrator and designer, and has the rare talent of being technically minded and hard working, as well as mind-blowingly creative (I also suspect she is a mind reader!)"

    Tamzin Beazley, MAS

  • "Emily consistently worked well to deadline under tight time constraints and was entirely professional and a pleasure to deal with."

    Emma Hopkinson-Sneddon,
    Cognition Education

  • "Emily is a fast-working, creative designer and excellent illustrator. No job too big or small."

    Jocasta Whittingham, Fitzbeck Publishing

  • "Emily is an absolute pleasure to work with, and we've also been lucky enough to secure her illustration talents on our website too."

    Martina Saville, Virtual Marketers

  • "I would recommend Emily to anyone that is looking for a highly skilled, professional and creative designer."

    Anthony James, NZ Bus

  • "Emily really got to the heart of what we were trying to achieve and helped us to tell our story beautifully. So good to deal with and delivered within our tight deadline"

    Josh Wilkinson, MAS

  • "I’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily on a wide variety of creative projects, from the design and illustration of visual communication artefacts for corporate organisations, to brand work for a start-up, and also on my own creative projects. Emily even helped to bring Storycore’s own brand identity to life."

    Katy Sweetman, Storycore

  • "Emily’s involvement in any project I’ve worked with her on has taken the final product to a whole new level that wouldn’t have been possible without her. I really value Emily’s thoughtful and considered approach, her eye for detail, her design flair and her illustrative talents."

    Katy Sweetman, Storycore

  • "Most of all, Emily makes things look beautiful, distinguished by the craft and simplicity of her thoughtful work, which is a precious thing in a world of so much noise, visual overload and click-of-a-button creative products."

    Katy Sweetman, Storycore

  • "Emily has been a contributor in many of our projects over the years. We keep coming back to her because she understands our needs, creates amazing visuals that align with our brand and does it all within our sometimes too-tight timelines. She's a great part of the team!"

    Mauricio Freitas, Equinox IT

More about me

I’m a nature-lover and former city-dweller, now enjoying the calm and creativity of small town life in Wairarapa, New Zealand. Outside of digital design, I like to make things from metal, learn languages and foster kittens. Follow me on Instagram for personal projects and experimentation.

GET IN TOUCH

Links

Email: emily.efford@gmail.com

LinkedIn: /emilyefford/

Instagram: /the.daily.e

Spoonflower: /motte_and_bailey

Book Design & Layout

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Typesetting

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Creative Artworking & Production

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eLearning & Digital Media graphics

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Illustration

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Hand-lettering & Pattern Design

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Book Design & Layout 〰️ Typesetting 〰️ Creative Artworking & Production 〰️ eLearning & Digital Media graphics 〰️ Illustration 〰️ Hand-lettering & Pattern Design 〰️