About · The Bureau
Hi, I’m Stephen V.
Art director, visual designer, resident moon rabbit. Book covers, brands and packaging, worked with magic until they shine.
The magic is in the back-and-forth. You know your story better than anyone; I know how to find the idea hiding in it.
- Where
- Crestone, Colorado
- How long
- 25+ years
- What
- Covers, brands, packaging
A short tale in four phases
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I · New moon
It starts in Ladysmith.
I grew up in Ladysmith, South Africa. No college pedigree: just a serial learner with a fantasy novel always on the go, which turns out to be a decent way to end up designing book covers.
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II · Waxing
Then the road.
Three years living in a van. A digital nomad before it had a hashtag, working from wherever the signal reached and photographing most of it in black and white.
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III · Half
Twenty-five years in.
Covers for publishers and authors, a few of them New York Times bestsellers. Brands and packaging for agencies and the bottles and boxes they look after. The job is always the same: work out what people actually mean, then make it impossible to miss.
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IV · Full
The Bureau of Mn Rabbits.
These days the Bureau works off-grid out of Crestone, Colorado: a tiny mountain town under a very big sky. Espresso is a “hobby”. Scotch is single malt. And there’s a rabbit on the moon, if you know where to look.
The fine print
Me in a word cloud ; )
What listening looks like
Clients don’t always know how to say what they need. That’s fine. I specialize in reading between the lines.
Three clients, who’ve never met, put it the same way:
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“I was so impressed with his responsiveness, professionalism expertise, and strong work ethic. As a client, there are times I don’t know how to fully communicate what I need, but Stephen is a master at reading between the lines. Another reason for a resounding endorsement!”
Rachel Hanley Founder & CEO, PicDiversity
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“…He is a great listener, collaborator, visionary and masterful designer. Stephen has a way of understanding the vision, amplifying it, and bringing it to life like no one else can…”
Lola Von Roda Principal, Iconic Details
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“Stephen is incredible to work with — he’s always super prompt and kind in responses, and seems to know exactly what I’m looking for with work and can take it to a level beyond what my own mind even imagined. He takes feedback in stride and goes the extra 10 miles.”
David Whimbish Lead, The Collection
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“A member of our team spoke to me today and was bragging about your super powers. I knew bringing you in was a sure bet. You’re the real deal, your work stands on its own.”
Aaron Roe Managing Director, Deloitte
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“You are a hugely talented creative resource. Normally passing out at work first thing might be considered bad. But when it’s passing out from joy, then it’s a really good thing. I’m loving the work you’ve done!…”
Hilary Wheeler Brand Strategy Leader, Little Man Inc.
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“It was an absolute pleasure working with you. Thank you for all of the hard work and for handling our project with such grace and ease; it definitely made our lives easier…”
Ti Eversole Marketing Manager, Osprey
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“When you work on a project with Stephen—and you’d be crazy not to—you’ll be amazed by the level of both detail and big picture thinking he brings to the process and the project. He is a master at innovation, thinking “outside the box,” and figuring out how to get things done. In spite of that, he’s no diva. Stephen truly cares about collaborating with you to create great work. We worked together for years creating amazing book covers, and I can’t recommend Stephen more highly.”
Dean Renninger Sr. Art Director, Tyndale House Publishers
How a brand project runs
Five steps, no smoke.
Covers run on the publisher’s calendar and sketch rounds. Brand work runs like this.
- 01
It begins with a KISS
Keep it short and simple. Once the agreement’s signed, you get a welcome packet with the timeline, the invoices and everything else in one place.
- 02
Discovery, thorough but brief
I poke around your brand, your shelf and your competition, and ask questions until I can see what lies beneath the surface.
- 03
Sketch, kill, repeat
Where the magic happens. I kick ideas around, beat them up, resurrect the good ones and keep going until the right one is undeniable.
- 04
One concept, complete
I only show one. But it’s whole: thought through, mocked up, every lockup it needs. Sit with it for a day or two, then we refine.
- 05
Delivery
Every file format you’ll ever need, a key that explains which is which, and a well-earned pat on the back.
Ideas are precious. Most still end up in the bin.This one nearly made it. Look closely.
By the numbers
Authors I’ve designed for
- Drew Brees
- Tony Dungy
- Emmitt Smith
- Scott Stapp
- Randall Wallace
- Rich Froning
- Rye Barcott
- Brennan Manning
- George Barna
- G.P. Taylor
Where the work has been
- The New York Times Best Seller list
- NBC News
- TODAY
- The Dr. Oz Show
- People
- Oprah
- New York Post
Now you know a little more about me. Your turn.
Tell me about the book, the brand or the bottle. I’ll read between the lines.
Start a project