Playful 6x9 Non-Fiction Cover

I’m relaunching a stalled book-cover project and need a fresh set of creative eyes. The book is non-fiction, but I want the front to feel light and playful rather than academic. I already have the concept sketched out, the exact back-cover copy, and a clear sense of color palette; what I’m missing is a reliable designer who can turn that vision into production-ready art.

Front imagery should be illustration-based—no stock photos this time—so your portfolio should show characterful, lively drawings or graphic illustration work. The trim size is 6×9 inches for print, with standard bleed, and I’ll also need a version that works for an e-book thumbnail.

Timing is flexible but I’d like first drafts within two weeks and final files no later than three. My budget is around $125, so please propose a schedule that respects that limit while still allowing for one round of revisions after I see the initial layout.

Deliverables I’ll need from you:
• Print-ready PDF and high-res JPEG for the full cover (front, spine, back)
• Separate front-cover JPEG (for online marketplaces)
• Layered source file (PSD or AI) so minor updates can be made later

If this sounds like your wheelhouse, let me know how you’d approach the illustration style and your estimated timeline for drafts and hand-off. I’m ready to move quickly once we agree on the direction.