e: jcyoung@cardiffmet.ac.uk
w:
www.mostamazingbooks.co.uk
Specialist Subject Areas
Graphic Design
Design & Production for Publishing
Paper Engineering
Illustration
Packaging Design
STEM / STEAM Pedagogy
Branding
Marketing
Advertising
Enterprise
Qualifications
MA (dist)
FHEA
C&G Business Studies
HND Graphic Design
Diploma Art & Design
Biography
I am an Art & Design educator and practitioner with more than 30 years teaching experience across the UK University sector currently based in Cardiff School of Art & Design. I trained and worked commercially as a graphic design consultant working with numerous high profile UK and International companies focusing on branding, packaging and marketing. In 1990 I founded my own design consultancy specialising in children’s non-fiction ‘science education’ publishing. Since then I have conceived, written, designed and produced more than twenty books in partnership with numerous international publishers including Harper Collins, Walker Books, Dorling Kindersley, Orchard Books and collaborated with ‘The London Science Museum’ on a variety of award winning projects. My work has been published in more than twenty countries and received numerous industry accolades including ‘The Children's Science Book of the Year’ (UK), ‘The British Book Awards', ‘The Parents Choice – Gold Award’ & ‘Oppenheim Platinum Award’ (USA).
Current research
My current research explores S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education and learning approaches in the context of UK government S.T.E.M. education policies.
I have worked collaboratively over my career with a diverse range of clients including:
Boots / The Watts Publishing Group / Dorling kindersley / Harper Collins / Tiger Aspect / MTV / The Gourmet Pizza Company / Basildon Bond / Sellotape / The National Rivers Authority / Swansea City Football Club / Forestry Commission for Wales, Chrysalis Group
Working in the wider design and publishing industries has equipped me with a diverse range of skills and abilities that I believe are highly relevant to teaching and research including:
Co-ordinating projects from conception through to production
Preparing budgets and fee proposals
Commissioning photographers, illustrators and other designers
Presentations
Editorial
Principal Publications, Exhibitions and Awards
1. Title : The Most Amazing Pop Up Science Book (in association with the London Science Museum)
Year of Publication : 1994
ISBN Number : 0-7496-1481-1
Price : £14.99
Publisher : uk- Watts Publishing group. US – Harper Collins. Also published in about 15 other languages.
Notes : Awards included the British Book Awards “children’s illustrated book of the year” and the Rhone Poulenc “children’s Science book of the year”. I have plenty of reviews of this title.
2. Title : The Even More Amazing Science Pop Up Book (in association with the London Science Museum)
Year of Publication : 1997
ISBN Number : 0-7496-2560-0
Price : £15.99
Publisher : UK- Watts Publishing group. US – Harper Collins. Also published in many other languages.
Notes : Amongst other awards it was shortlisted for the the British Book Awards “children’s book of the year” I have plenty of reviews of this title.
3. Title : The Art of Science
Year of Publication : 1999
ISBN Number : 0-7445-6206-6
Price : £19.99
Publisher : uk- Walker Books. US – Candlewick Also published in French and German.
Notes : Awarded an “Oppenheim” Platinum award of excellence in the US and “The Parents Choice Foundation” gold award (the only non profit guide to childrens media in America).
4. Title : The Amazing Magic Fact Machine.
Year of Publication : 2000
ISBN Number : 1-903174-16-3
Price : £14.99
Publisher : UK- Big Fish/Chrysalis Books. US and Europe: many
Notes : Very big print run in US
5. Title : The Magic World of Learning.
Year of Publication : 2001
ISBN Number : 1-903174-42-2
Price : £14.99
Publisher : UK- Big Fish/Chrysalis Books. US and Europe: many
Notes : Pre school
6. Title : The Magic Fortune Teller.
Year of Publication : 2001
ISBN Number : 1-903174-42-2
Price : £14.99
Publisher : UK- Big Fish/Chrysalis Books. US and Europe: many
7. Title : Wallace & Grommits World of Mysteries.
Year of Publication : 2002
ISBN Number : 1-84347-029-2
Price : £14.99
Publisher : UK- Big Fish/Chrysalis Books. US and Europe: many
Notes : Done under license with Ardman. Reviewed very well on tv, radio press and internet.
Awards
1994 BRITISH BOOK AWARDS (Nibbies) Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year
1995 COPUS / RHONE POULENC Children’s Science book of the Year
W H SMITH Best Children’s Book of The Year
1998 BRITISH BOOK AWARDS (Nibbies) Shortlisted for the best Children’s Book of the year
2000 OPPENHEIM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE ‘ PLATINUM AWARD ‘ The only independent reviewer of children’s media in America.
WATERSTONES Top 20 Books of 1995
TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT Shortlisted for ‘Children’s book of the year’ 1995
PARENTS’ CHOICE FOUNDATION.‘GOLD AWARD’ The only non profit reviewer of children’s media in America.
Shortlisted for the WELSH DESIGN AWARDS in 2007
