David Pearson

David Pearson was born in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire in 1978. He graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2002 and has since worked in-house at Penguin Books before leaving in 2007 to set up his own studio. David’s book cover designs have won numerous awards and in 2007 The Guardian included him in their list of Top 50 British Designers.

What have you got planned this week?

I’m currently designing the packaging for Natalie Merchant’s latest album and I have to send the last of ten Cormac McCarthy covers to print. It’s a novelty to be working with living clients, if I’m honest.

What do your parents think you do?

Thankfully they can see my work in their local Waterstones so I don’t have to struggle too much on that front. In fact, my Mum tends to pull out my half-buried covers so they appear cover-out in store. She’s developing quite a reputation for it around town.

Who do you look like?

A cross between an Ipswich Town footballer from the 1970s and Dirty Dancing’s Jennifer Grey.

What’s your favourite sense?

Sight although a life without the smell and taste of whisky would be a bleak one.

Tell us something people don’t know about you…

The reason I’ve never had a mobile phone is because I’m scared of them – although I often let on that it’s a very interesting life choice.

Did your education count?

Absolutely yes. I had two wonderful typography teachers – Phil Baines and Catherine Dixon – who have had a huge influence on my career. My education also got me out of a town that boasted exactly no creative jobs.

What word can’t you spell?

Leprechaun.

Tell us a good fact

My Mum once turned down a sexual advance from Jimmy Hendrix.

What’s Next?

The thing I love most about being a freelancer is that you never know what’s going to show up in your inbox. I shall be designing my first wine label later this month, which I’m really excited about. The client is actually going to send me a case of the wine to inspire me. It’s one of those situations where I’d like to go back in time so I can thank my younger self for making the right career choices. I could take him a bottle of wine. It’d be better than the s*** he normally drinks.

What’s your ‘Plan B’?

I honestly don’t have one – although I used to be a window cleaner and greatly miss the snaking action of an active squeegee.