The heart behind LAB book design

Who are you?

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I'm Lea and I was born in February 1999 in Bavaria. I grew up in a small town with my parents, brother, grandma and cats. I have been living with my partner since 2021.

 

What does the LAB actually stand for?

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LAB stands for my full name Lea Alexandra Böttcher. My middle name is dedicated to my uncle, my mother's brother.

 

How did you get into book design?

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Even as a child, I could never put books down. In my youth I started to think up many stories and at some point I started to write them down. When I was sixteen I discovered the wonderful world of Bookstagram and started blogging on Instagram myself. From the many little stories and characters in my head, I wrote my first book Liana A New Life and published it as a self-puplisher. My love and fascination with book covers peaked in 2020 and I was dying to learn how to do it all. I looked at many designer sites and watched videos. Only through sponsorship from my parents was I able to fulfill my dream in 2021 and buy the necessary programs. So since 2022 I have been creating premades and individual book covers and can live my dream.

 

Did you study graphic design or something similar?

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No actually not. I completed an apprenticeship as a paralegal. In contrast to book design, a very dry profession. I learned book design myself with the help of videos, online courses and a lot of reading.

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What do you do when you're not making covers?

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I read a lot, write my own stories and have been a passionate Sims player for many years - although others would call me a Sims addict, but I would never admit that to myself! 

 

Were you afraid of being self-employed?

I wasn't afraid of starting my own business or building something up. My parents have almost always been self-employed, my mum even in the creative field, and that's why I was almost born with it. I was always taught that you have to take risks to be successful. At this point – thanks to my family.

 

What programs do you work with?

I work exclusively with the Affinity programs.

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