Random House’s Peter Mendelsund: The Very Lucky Hot Shot Book Designer

In the past couple of years, when you say, “book designer,” the first person, even non-design-y people, will say, instinctively, is “Chip Kidd.” But even though he’s something of a machine, cranking out so many, many book covers, writing novels and starting bands, surely he must work alongside some equally as interesting designers, right? Well, of course he does. What a silly question. Thanks to a submitted tip, we were pointed over to this Design Related interview with Peter Mendelsund, one of Kidd’s co-workers who is part of the “all-star lineup of designers at Random House.” Now you’re thinking, “Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of him. What’s his story?” Well, we answer by telling you that it’s a great read and features not only a ton of information, but also includes a whole smattering of fantastic covers Mendelsund has designed. Favorite part, sure to make you cringe in jealousy, is how he landed the job in the first place:

…I taught myself Quark etc., volunteered to design some CD covers for a NY record label where I’d made some recordings, and six months after that, I showed up with a “book” at John Gall‘s door, met Carol [Devine Carson] and Chip [Kidd] (ok, I had no idea who any of these people were, which helped A TON). The following week, I was working here; first at Vintage, eight months after that, Knopf hardcovers. Improbably, the entire process from music to design took less than a year. I count my lucky stars that John and Carol were up for a gamble.

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.