Your research
is done.
Now the book.

I turn years of research into a thesis that feels right, from cover to interior.

maren bruin

Design & illustration for theses and books

Geïllustreerde proefschriftomslag over

Hi, I'm Maren, an illustrator and designer based in Arnhem.
I help PhD candidates turn years of research into a thesis
that feels right from cover to last page.

You don't need to know what it should look like. That's my job.

Hi, I'm Maren, an illustrator and designer based in Arnhem.
I help PhD candidates turn years of research into a thesis
that feels right from cover to last page.

You don't need to know what it should look like. That's my job.

Your research is done. Now the book.

Your research is done.
Now the book.

Some theses I've worked on

Some theses
I've worked on

Geïllustreerde proefschriftomslag over collectieve actie
Thesis cover over vaderschap
Geïllustreerde proefschriftomslag over Persoonlijke ontwikkeling

View all theses

View all theses

250 pages. Somewhere in there is one clear idea.

250 pages. Somewhere in there is one clear idea.

I read, ask questions and look for the image underneath your research. Not a stock photo of a microscope. Not a pretty pattern. An idea that says something about what you actually found.

Then I take the lead on design, so you don't suddenly have to become a designer on top of everything else.

I read, ask questions and look for the image underneath your research. Not a stock photo of a microscope. Not a pretty pattern. An idea that says something about what you actually found.

Then I take the lead on design, so you don't suddenly have to become a designer on top of everything else.

/

Services

From cover
to last page

How far should
the idea go?

See packages & prices

See packages & prices

See packages & prices

See packages & prices

See packages & prices

See packages & prices

Let it carry through

I want the cover and the interior to belong together.

Tell me more →

The whole thesis

I want to hand off both the cover and the interior.

Tell me more →

Let it carry through

I want the cover and the interior to belong together.

Tell me more →

The whole thesis

I want to hand off both the cover and the interior.

Tell me more →

/

Process

How it works

How it works

A thesis is rarely about just one thing. There are chapters, models, conclusions, detours and years of research.

I look for what's underneath. The image, the line or the idea that brings it all together. That's where a cover starts. And if you like, the rest of the book too.

A thesis is rarely about just one thing. There are chapters, models, conclusions, detours and years of research.

I look for what's underneath. The image, the line or the idea that brings it all together. That's where a cover starts. And if you like, the rest of the book too.

STEP 2: Find the direction

I read along and translate the core into three visual directions.

STEP 2: Find the direction

I read along and translate the core into three visual directions.

STEP 3: Design

You know the research. I look after the design.

STEP 3: Design

You know the research. I look after the design.

STEP 4: Refine

You give feedback at set moments. I keep the line.

STEP 4: Refine

You give feedback at set moments. I keep the line.

STEP 5: Print-ready

I make sure everything is technically right for your printer.

STEP 5: Print-ready

I make sure everything is technically right for your printer.

I always want to know what's underneath

I always want to know what's underneath

I always want to know what's underneath

I'm Maren, a graphic designer and illustrator. I love research I don't fully understand at first. That's exactly where it starts.

I read, ask questions and look for the image beneath the story. Then I take the lead on the design, so you don't suddenly have to become a designer too.

More about me →

I'm Maren, a graphic designer and illustrator. I love research I don't fully understand at first. That's exactly where it starts.

I read, ask questions and look for the image beneath the story. Then I take the lead on the design, so you don't suddenly have to become a designer too.

More about me →

I'm Maren, a graphic designer and illustrator. I love research I don't fully understand at first. That's exactly where it starts.

I read, ask questions and look for the image beneath the story. Then I take the lead on the design, so you don't suddenly have to become a designer too.

More about me →

/

Testimonials

Working together sounds nice. They already did.

Working together sounds nice. They already did.

When should you start?

When should you start?

When should you start?

Earlier than you think.

For the full thesis, plan on 4 to 5 months before your defence.

For a cover only, 6 weeks is doable.

Earlier than you think.

For the full thesis, plan on 4 to 5 months before your defence.

For a cover only, 6 weeks is doable.

Shall we see what fits?

Shall we see what fits?

Shall we see what fits?

Book a free 30 minute call. We'll talk about your research, and afterwards you'll know what it would cost and how long it takes. English or Dutch, both fine.

Book a free 30 minute call. We'll talk about your research, and afterwards you'll know what it would cost and how long it takes. English or Dutch, both fine.

Book a call →

Book a call →

Book a call →

Book a call →