As one of the UK’s leading book and print design studios, we have built up a diverse and exciting portfolio of award-winning illustrated titles for a wide range of publishers, galleries, museums and private clients. Our creativity and experience, combined with our exemplary service, collaborative nature and attention to detail, enable us to create unique, eye-catching designs of distinction.

The studio is passionate about design, taking pride in every aspect of the creative process and this has earned Grade an enviable reputation for excellence in achieving innovative and successful design solutions within the fields of publishing and graphic design.

Services    
Art Direction
Books
Branding
Catalogues
Exhibitions and Displays
Sales and Technical Literature
Typography

Peter Dawson, Founder / Creative Director    
Having worked at a number of design consultancies after studying graphic design at Kingston University, Peter went on to co-found Grade Design in 2000. Since then, he has worked for a diverse and extensive range of clients – specialising in print and book design, branding and typography.

Peter has designed a number of bestselling and award-winning illustrated book titles. His awards include British D&AD Annual inclusion, ‘Trade Illustrated’, ‘Best Jacket/Cover Design’ and ‘Brand/Series Identity’ in the British Book Design and Production Awards, several ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers) Typographic Award Certificates of Excellence and their prestigious Premiere Award. 

A Fellow and a former Chair of the ISTD, Peter has been a visiting typography and design lecturer at a number of universities in the UK and overseas. In 2012 he co-authored the book Graphic Design Rules (Frances Lincoln) and is author of The Field Guide to Typography (Thames & Hudson, 2013) and Type Directory (Thames & Hudson, 2019).