Overview
Hello, my name is Arjan, born and raised in the Netherlands but living in beautiful New Zealand.
Under the nom de guerre of Tenzing, I help people achieve their publishing aspirations. Together, we explore opportunities and I guide you to your publishing goal until — in the words of Sir Edmund Hillary — you knock the bastard off. I'm the Designer / Art Director who will forge ahead on the path to getting you a gorgeous, publishable book.
Let’s talk about your Everest and see if I can be your sherpa! 🤩
I've got tons of experience in print — the technical side of it as well as the visual aspects of it. I love a challenge and always aim to make a publication stand out. Typography is my forte and I go further than just creating an attractive cover: the perfect typesetting of the interior text is just as important to me.
Over the years, I've won many professional accolades. I'm afraid I seriously lost count of how many design & art direction awards I have won.
I'm a book nerd and built my own library room to keep all my favourite reads neatly together. Think of it as a research library for book design — I'm almost a bit ashamed to admit there are plenty of copies in my library that I bought just because of their looks. Oops! There, I said it.
I love cover designs with loads of character in it — whether that is bold and funny or clean and straightforward or playful and frank.
My designs are not minimalist but rather maximalist: I aim to dramatise the main feeling and style the author wants to get across and I use typography, colour and well-curated photography to achieve that goal.
But I'm at my very best when I can add that emotional layer of suspense and intrigue to the design. I love it when a book makes a statement and is singular in its design. Let's make yours!
↪ Snippets of reviews I'm proud of:
“Arjan is such a talent! I'm certain that his artistry played a role in my #1 new release title. You won't regret a collaboration with Arjan.”
— Cee McDermott
"Not only is Arjan fabulously talented (his book covers have drawn rave reviews from readers), he is a warm, funny, and delightful person who is generous with helpful advice as you learn to navigate the publishing world."
— Martha Jackson
"Arjan is extremely talented and a master of his craft. He made putting this book together one of the most enjoyable professional experiences I've had. A blast to work with."
— Greg Bolanowski
Arjan not only delivers quality ideas and designs, but he does so with enthusiasm and positive energy. He made a difficult project (for me) a fun process.
— Edward Opstein
“I must say, Arjan's work is state of the art. His thorough involvement, engagement and interaction during the project was second to none.”
— Sohan Gokarn
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Eurobest Awards
- Cannes Lions Awards
- Epica Awards
- ADCN Awards
- Adobe / HOW Awards
- Best Awards
- Clio Awards
- Crowdiate
- Effie Awards
- Esprix Awards
- PHNX Award Jury Member
Certifications
- BFA Communication Design
- SEO Linkedin Certificate
- SquareSpace Circle Member
- Google Analytics
- Enlightened Warrior
- ICC Boating License Inland + Coastal + VHF
Work experience
Self-employed
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Doom & Dickson
Portfolio
Arjan has 67 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Margaret J.
Jan, 2023
Pinned
Cee M.
Oct, 2022
Pinned
Lawrence B.
Feb, 2022
Pinned
Terri C.
Jun, 2025
Connie H.
Jun, 2025
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