Reviews
“Kris is professional, passionate, and reliable. It’s always a joy to partner with her on a new project. She’s someone I can count on to consistently deliver excellent work and on deadline. Her creativity and playfulness applied to creating children’s books delight young readers—the toughest of critics!”
“Kris is a professional from the word go. She listens and asks terrific questions at the beginning of a project, ensuring she gets off on the right path, and then follows deadlines and budgets to deliver perfectly executed work–oftentimes providing more than one solution. Kris is skillful, thorough, and a joy to work with.”
“I am currently illustrating a picture book for Kris. I have been very pleased with her collaborative approach. She has been very open to discussing illustration possibilities and has been a wonderful advocate when presenting my ideas to the publisher. It also helps that I do not get unnecessary pressure to meet unreasonable deadlines. A real pleasure.”
“I would like to endorse Kris’s work as a well-rounded and visionary Art Director. Kris is sensitive to all areas of book design and a great listener. Kris catches the vision of the author, editor, and other members of the team and creates book covers and book designs that resonate with readers. As an editor, I appreciate Kris’s ability to communicate effectively with all parties and bring the pieces together. She has creative ideas and represents the publisher to illustrators, authors, agents, and other partners with professionalism and sensitivity.”
“I have worked with Kris on [several] children’s picture books, and every one was a wonderful experience. Kris is very professional yet very personable. She is thorough, detailed, and timely in communicating the specifications of a project, very helpful through the process, while being warm, encouraging, and gracious. I hope to have many more opportunities to work with Kris.”
“Kris has a great creative eye and pays attention to the details. She is able to recognize the “slight tweak” that turns a good design into a great design. She works well with clients and freelancers alike. She is professional in her communication and keeps all parties abreast of the project in progress. I would gladly hire her for any project.”
“I worked for Kris as a freelance designer and art director when she was Senior Art Director at Zonderkidz. She was always clear and concise about what she needed from me which helped make my job easier. I would be happy to work with her again.”
“Excellence. This one word describes Kris. It is at her core. Kris exudes excellence as she gives art direction, in her design work, and as she relates to people. She is gifted and at ease with the management of projects, processes, and teams. For the past 15 years I have known Kris as both a colleague and as a senior manager. It is very apparent that Kris loves what she does; she has a passion for well thought out design and is at ease providing multiple projects at a high professional level of skill and creativity. With great confidence I would recommend Kris for your next project!”
“I have worked with Kris at Zondervan for over 10 years. I have always looked forward to working with Kris on projects. She is a great designer and has fantastic attention to detail. You can count on her for just about any project. From product and merchandising design, to marketing design and production, she is the best!”
“Kristine was a delight to work with. She made my job very easy by being organized and on top of our very complicated project.”
“I worked with Kris Nelson both when she was the head of the Zonderkidz Creative team, and when she was a designer on the team. Kris has always put her heart into her projects, often going far above and beyond to help create a project the author and illustrator are proud of … and a few times even saved the day on projects that hit huge snags due to a scheduling or outside design mishap. She’s also a Photoshop wizard! I’d recommend Kris heartily for four-color projects, especially ones that are more complex. She has a knack for handling whatever comes her way.”
“I thoroughly enjoy working with Kris. She is professional, creative, timely, and focuses on the end consumer. Her work is stellar and she operates out of the highest integrity. If you want great quality and a job well done – hire Kris! Top qualities: Great Results, On Time, High Integrity”
“Kris is a talented and detail-oriented designer who takes pride in her work. The books she designs always turn out beautifully, and she’s always willing to listen to suggestions as well as make some of her own. If I were ever to need a book designed, I would not hesitate to contact Kris for her expertise.”
“Kris is an excellent designer and a hard worker. I am thrilled she has her own business again, and I have already referred someone to her, confident she would deliver on time and to the delight of her client.”
“Worked with Kris on a small publishing project for children’s book of religious music. She was very articulate and able to provide exactly what I needed in terms of specs, which allowed me to get my job done faster and more accurately. She also communicated in such a diplomatic way that she was able to guide me without being overbearing or demanding….which made me produce FAST results, and thus an on-time book delivery. In a world fraught with egos and divas, she navigates and gets it done with relationships intact….a talent in and of itself.”