About Us
Mission Statement
ABDA exists to support Australian book designers – to promote their work to, and connect with, the broader publishing community. In addition, we aim to discover and foster emerging talent. Through our public talks and workshops, digital showcases and the national annual Book Design Awards, ABDA provides a dynamic network for industry professionals.
This website, launched in October 2015, provides an online hub for the community. Offering news, forums, educational events and a searchable archive of each year’s award categories, it is an invaluable resource for present and future Australian designers.
ABDA exists to serve its members. We encourage feedback and suggestions, please email us with ideas and feedback about events, blog posts or anything else you’d like to see more or less of.
Committee Members
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Hannah Janzen
PresidentBook Designer
Hannah is a Sydney-based book designer with an eye for detail and a passion for books. She has 12 years experience working in the Australian publishing industry. After working in a design studio for 6 years across a wide range…
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Nina Heryanto
Vice PresidentGraphic designer
Concept designerNina Heryanto is a graphic designer based in Melbourne. After working for almost 10 years as an in-house designer in the publishing industry, she now runs her own freelance practice. Outside of work, she is a keen bookworm, amateur photographer…
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Philip Campbell
TreasurerPhilip Campbell Design
Philip has been designing books, amongst other things, for over 20 years. He worked previously as a designer for Text Media and EmeryStudio and spent time as a sessional lecturer in Communications design at RMIT. His work focuses mainly on…
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Pooja Desai
SecretaryDesign Manager, Hardie Grant Egmont
Pooja is an award-winning designer currently working as the Design Manager for Hardie Grant Egmont. Before stumbling upon her one true love – publishing – her design career has spanned across packaging, product, magazines, marketing and digital. In her free…
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Nada Backovic
Committee MemberNada Backovic Designs
Nada Backovic is an award-winning book designer, graphic designer and illustrator with 20 years experience working with major publishers in Australia and UK.
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Akiko Chan
Committee MemberDesigner, Art Director
Akiko Chan is a designer and art director based in Melbourne, Australia. She currently works part-time at Schwartz Books and has a freelance practice that focuses on publication and identity design. Driven by content, Akiko uses a wide range of…
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Trisha Garner
Committee MemberBook Designer, Designpatsy
Trisha Garner has been a book designer for nearly two decades. She designs predominantly non-fiction and illustrated books, including cookbooks and memoirs, for a wide range of publishers from her studio in Collingwood, Melbourne. Trisha began her career as a…
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Sarah Mitchell
Committee MemberFreelance Book Designer
Sarah is a freelance book designer based in Sydney. She has previously worked in-house for Scholastic Australia on a wide range of children’s titles across their various imprints. Prior to specialising in book design, Sarah freelanced as a graphic designer…
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Claire Orrell
Committee MemberDesign Manager, Museum of Contemporary Art / Freelance Design & Illustration
Claire is an award-winning designer working professionally since 2003. She has experience in both the commercial and cultural arenas, working seven years in design agencies and a further ten years in the museum sector.
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