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Series and format development

When you’re launching or refining a series, we define the structure and direction so every title works on its own, and as part of a recognisable set.

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Three “How to Make Anything” cookbooks displayed on an orange background, including air fryer and slow cooker titles, with food photography on the covers and “100 recipes” badges.
Overhead view of multiple open DK *Super Planet Series* books arranged on a blue background, showing colourful science-themed spreads on forests, oceans, medicinal plants, vertical farming, and water quality, with photographs, diagrams, fact boxes, and clear section headings.

Drawing on our roots in branding, we create series that are distinctive at title level and cohesive across the set.

Clear concept. Defined format. Built to roll out.

Why this works

Book cover of Maya Angelou’s Guide to Hope: 50 Simple Ways to Spread Hope, featuring an illustrated portrait of Maya Angelou wearing a white headwrap against a blue background, with bold white and yellow title text.

Clear direction from the start

We establish a consistent format and creative approach early, so your team can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Blue book cover titled "Low-Cal Kitchen Bangers" by Alex Hughes, featuring bold green and pink typography and cut-out food photographs of burgers, steak with potatoes, chicken dishes, and a loaded toast, with the subtitle "100 quick and easy meals to help you lose weight," set against a pink background.

Repeatable without feeling templated

A strong format speeds up delivery while leaving room for each title to have its own personality.

A flat-lay of multiple "Pocket Wisdom" books arranged in a grid on a pink background, featuring brightly coloured illustrated covers including "Pocket RuPaul", "Pocket Audrey Hepburn", "Pocket Kardashians", "Pocket AOC", "Pocket First Ladies", and "Single Life Wisdom", with bold typography, pop-art portraits, and varied colour palettes.

Stronger performance across a list

Cohesive series build recognition, support sell-through, and create value across multiple titles.

What you get

A clear, repeatable publishing format and a system your team can use with confidence.

  • Series concept, positioning and audience definition
  • Format structure and layout systems
  • Visual identity and cover approach (distinct per title, cohesive as a set)
  • Design rules and creative direction
  • Initial titles developed to set the standard
  • A scalable system for future rollout

Used to launch new series, refresh backlists and build multi-title programmes.

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Three “How to Make Anything” cookbooks displayed on an orange background, including air fryer and slow cooker titles, with food photography on the covers and “100 recipes” badges.

When to use this

Launching or growing a series

When a concept has the potential to extend beyond a single title. Whether you’re testing a pilot or building a multi-title series, we create a format that can expand confidently across subjects, categories or formats.

Launching or growing a series

Building a strong author brand

When you’re working with an author who needs a strong, recognisable brand. We create a system that builds consistency, strengthens identity, and supports long-term growth.

Book covers from the Kitchen Bangers series, featuring bold typography and photographs of food.

Refreshing a backlist series

When an established series needs updating to stay relevant, reach a new audience or extend into a new format. We retain the equity that made it successful, while evolving the design to reach new audiences and keep it feeling current.

Refreshing a backlist series

Studio Noel are thoughtful designers who bring ideas to life and give even half-formed thoughts presence and identity. The results are a delight to behold and sparkle with individuality.

Filbert Press

What this gives you

Publishing a series shouldn’t mean starting from scratch each time. This gives you a clear, consistent approach that supports growth without adding pressure to your team.

Delivered across multi-title series and publishing programmes for leading publishers and academic organisations.

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Overhead view of multiple open DK *Super Planet Series* books arranged on a blue background, showing colourful science-themed spreads on forests, oceans, medicinal plants, vertical farming, and water quality, with photographs, diagrams, fact boxes, and clear section headings.