Meet the Creatives of Wild Apple Design

Rebecca

What do you see as your role at Wild Apple Design?

I founded Wild Apple Design 25 years ago, so my role is a mix of business owner and creative director. I spend time managing the company, keeping an eye on finances and building relationships with clients, but I’m also very much hands-on with the design work.

My background is in book design, which is still at the heart of what I love to do. I enjoy working with teams on concepts, sample pages, artwork and layouts, shaping a book from the first brief through to the finished pages. There’s something very satisfying about seeing content come together in a way that feels clear, engaging and beautifully designed.

What values drive your work?

For me, design has always been about helping people connect with information and ideas. Much of our work is in educational publishing, so it’s rewarding to know that the books we design might be helping someone learn a language, understand a scientific idea, or discover a love of reading.

We also work with local businesses, and I really enjoy helping them develop strong, thoughtful design that works for their needs and budget. If good design can help someone communicate better or learn something new, that feels like a job well done.

What project have you enjoyed working on most recently, and why?

We’ve recently completed some large science publishing projects within very tight deadlines. I’m incredibly proud of the team for maintaining such a high standard of design even under pressure.

One of the parts of the job I enjoy most is working with illustrators to develop a visual brief and bring the story within the content to life. The Léigh Liom readers are a great example of that collaboration, where the design and illustrations work together to make the reading experience engaging and fun for young readers.

Where can we find you when you’re not at the design desk?

We’re lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world, so I spend a lot of time walking in the countryside and along the coastline with my rescued German short-haired pointer, Rufus.

I love sketching the landscape and often take inspiration back to my art shed in the garden. When I’m not drawing, you’ll probably find me in the garden or greenhouse growing plants and vegetables.

Sam

What do you see as your role at Wild Apple Design?

My role at Wild Apple Design is to connect creative ideas with practical delivery. I work closely with Rebecca, syncing with her creative vision while ensuring the technical side of projects runs smoothly. This includes building robust templates, managing complex multi-faceted publishing projects, and acting as a key point of contact for clients.

I also specialise in layout and structure, making sure designs not only look great but function effectively across large teaching packages and publications. In short, I help turn creative concepts into organised, well-executed finished products.

What values drive your work?

Accuracy, continuity and detail! Delivering a project which is not only technically on point, but one which hits the brief, meeting and ideally exceeding our clients’ expectations. I care about the integrity of a project from start to finish, ensuring that every element fits together clearly and purposefully. I’m driven by producing honest, eye-catching designs that not only look strong visually but also help educate, engage, and inspire the people using them.

What project have you enjoyed working on most recently, and why?

In a word: Biology. It was a huge project, spanning in excess of 550 pages, and a real beast to manage. It involved coordinating with our technical artist, handling extensive file management, and keeping a complex set of elements organised and consistent throughout. I really enjoyed getting my teeth into something of that scale. The kind of project that requires careful structure and attention to detail to keep everything running smoothly.

It was incredibly satisfying to see it all come together in the end. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and even better, the client was delighted with the final result.

Where can we find you when you’re not at the design desk?

When I’m not at the design desk, you’ll usually find me out on long hikes, exploring the beautiful Dorset countryside and beyond. I also love cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and when I’m not doing that, I’m either fishing or thinking about fishing. Evenings are often spent enjoying comedy or listening to music, relaxing and recharging for the next project.