Impactful messages need quality communication tools that leave a lasting impact on the readers who need them most.
So what’s Sprout Joy and what do I do, exactly?
Sprout Joy is a publication production and design studio that helps Authors self-publish their book.
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In short – no. Working with Sprout Joy is for authors that want to keep full ownership of their book, including all royalties and all sale profits.
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Sprout Joy is owned and run by Madison Waugh (that’s me! You can call me Madi). I’m a Graphic Designer with over a decade of design experience. Throughout my career I’ve designed and worked on publications as small as 4 page brochures to as large as 600+ page books and everything in between. I’ve worked on a wide variety of creative, from concept to finished art, including; magazine and brochure publications, art direction, social media assets, email marketing templates, digital interactive documents and eBooks, press ads, photography and retouching, event and tradeshow styling and collateral, branding, billboards, signage, digital web banners, gifs, google and social media ads and so much more. You can check out my graphic design portfolio website here.
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As Creative Director for Sprout Joy, I provide project management, art direction, moodboards, professional storyboards and creative briefs to Illustrators and Editors. But my favourite part of my role is working on the book layout design! Well, actually my favourite part is sharing important messages across the world that have the ability to change a person’s life. But boy do I absolutely love book layout design! You can often find me at a book shop defending my reasoning for purchasing another beautifully designed book with money that I probably should have put towards something more “practical” and boring like bills or savings.
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I value the message and impact you want to achieve in publishing your story and I will treat your book with compassion and respect as I work with you to create a professionally designed publication that you can be proud of.
Organised is an understatement. Good organisation skills and time management can make or break a project. You only need to ask someone I’ve worked with or have a look inside my linen cupboard to see how much I value organisation (maybe it’s the Capricorn in me?). My good organization skills contribute to my ability to work efficiently, productively and be accountable.
Professional, experienced and I’m pretty good at what I do. With over 10 years of experience working as a Graphic Designer, I’ve had the absolute privilege of working alongside and learning from some incredibly inspiring professionals. I know what makes a good design work, and what doesn’t work – because I’ve studied it at uni, I’ve learnt from my mistakes and I’ve devoted my professional career to continually improving my skills to ensure the end result is the most effective and best it can be.
I’m a good person. Well, I like to think I am. I will always stay true to my word and I take responsibility for my actions - meaning I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. Kindness and compassion are some of my core values and I believe it is extremely important to have a positive, transparent, can-do attitude in business and in life!
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I’m not just your Book Layout Designer – With a boat-load (more like a ship-load) of experience working within marketing agencies/departments as a Graphic Designer, I’m here to support you with design assets that will serve you for your book launch as well as any ongoing marketing assets you may need when promoting and selling your book.
I’m here to guide and support you on your publishing journey.
There has truly never been a better time in publishing history to be an author, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. I want you to say goodbye to overcomplicated production madness and managing multiple moving parts so you can enjoy the process of creating your book (after all, the creation stage is the fun part!)
Publication Design & Formatting Services
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Publication Layout Design & Formatting Only
You already have all of the images, illustrations and/or photography and the final manuscript/copy for your book ready to go and now you need someone to lay it all out as a professionally designed publication that looks incredible and importantly is enjoyable and easy to consume by your reader.
What You Get
🌼 Professional publication design
🌼 Layout design that enhances your message and creates an enjoyable, easy to consume experience for your reader
🌼 Professional typography, font stylings & typesetting
🌼 Cover design
🌼 Print-ready artwork files set up to the exact specifications your printer requires
🌼 eBook digital files
🌼Option to level up your pdf eBook to include interactive fillable form fields & buttons - perfect for course downloadable worksheets & eBooks
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Complete Publication Production & Co-Ordination
Save yourself the time searching around for professional Illustrators or photogrpahers that you can count on, are within your budget and who are aligned with your vision and goals. I can co-ordinate and organise photoshoots, styling props, art direction, creative briefs & moodboards, printing production, and all the project management that comes with creating an exceptional publication that serves you and the people who need it most.
Everything in “Layout Design Only” +
💛 Moodboards, Creative Art Direction, Storyboards & Creative Briefs
💛 Project Management & Project Timelines
💛 Sourcing the perfect Illustrator and/or Photographer for your specific publication and working with you to find quality professional creatives that are aligned with your message, your budget and publication style.
💛 Source print-quotes from offset printing companies as well as guidance and support when you’re choosing print-finishes such as, paper stock, book binding, spot varnishes, debossing and so on.
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Marketing & Promotional Stuff That Helps You Sell Your Book
Your publication has been published and now you need help with marketing assets that will help you promote your book and sell it to the people who need to read it most.
How I Can Help
🌏 Merchandise & packaging design
🌏 Event styling, stall, booth, display and point of sale assets and design
🌏 Promotional design for: print and digital adverts, posters, pull up banners, flyers, bookmarks, stickers, signage, billboards, a frames etc.
🌏 Website design (through Squarespace) & Email edm design support
🌏 Book (product) photography images
🌏 Professional photography co-ordination, styling and art direction for professional photoshoots
🌏 Social media & Google advert design
This list is basically endless and can be whatever you think will work best for the promotion and marketing of your work. I’m always keen to collaborate and chat about ideas and design solutions that will support you and your audience best.
I’m also available for freelance graphic design to brands, businesses, publication houses and people who share the same purpose - to communicate important messages that inspire positive change across the world.
Send me an email to chat further about freelance partnerships.
How We Will Work Together
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Establish Your Goals
First things first, lets get crystal clear about your goals, your mission and what impact you plan on creating with your publication. I want to know all about you, your story and your why. We will catch up over the phone or on a video meeting (hopefully coffee is involved) and chat about all the things including what it is you need and how I can help you.
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I Provide You a Detailed Proposal
After our catch up, I’ll then get to work on creating a detailed and personal proposal that suits your specific needs. The proposal will outline the entire project scope in stages, what I will deliver, pricing, terms and conditions and any other specific details. You let me know if you’re 100% all in. Then I’ll send you the initial deposit invoice and once paid I’ll get to work!
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Do The Work
The fun part! I get to work on all the work that was outlined in your proposal. I’ll keep you up-to-date throughout the entire project with clear communication. I understand that life is busy and I want your experience working with me to be fun, easy and seamless as possible for you! You’ve hired me to do the stuff I do best. You can be as hands on or hands off as suits you and your lifestyle.
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What You Get
I’ll wrap everything up in a neat bow, or rather a downloadable file with all of your digital assets, such as ebook files & pdfs, cover artwork files, basically all of the things that were outlined in your proposal. All intellectual property for the work I’ve done is transferred to you. You get a professional publication that you’re proud and can’t wait to share with the people who need to read it most.
Pricing
Because every client’s needs and publication goals are different, I customise each quote based on your specific requirements. Contact me with a description of your project for more information.
Sprout Joy is committed to producing high quality books that are made to last, made to be loved and shared throughout the generations. Your message is so important, and it’s so important to me that your story shines on that bookshelf with a professional design that speaks to your target audience and a design that will stand the test of time and not become outdated with fashions or trends.
Get in touch.
I want your message to be shared and read far and wide with the people who need it most, and I’d love to help you make that happen! I’m looking forward to hearing from you and chatting about how I can help you.
A Few Things I’ve Worked On
