Publication design

Game, set, math

Nikki M Group is an award-winning studio that specialises in designing and typesetting high-quality mathematics books for education. We work with publishers, authors, editors and project managers to design publications that are efficient to produce and effectively engage their intended audience.

Concept development

Nikki M Group develops concepts – the main ideas that shape the format, style and feel of a publication or series. We do this by identifying design objectives and creating a unique visual identity.

Concept development often includes:

  • a design brief or ‘reverse brief’ (presenting a brief back to you to tease out scope and ideas)
  • annotated concept designs
  • a design rationale.

Developing a concept is an efficient way for stakeholders to review, revise and approve a new design.

An award-winning team with proven experience.

Sample designs

Nikki M Group prepares sample designs using design and layout software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. We create sample designs that are ready for production and include the main parts of a publication, such as:

  • a chapter
  • chapter openers
  • front matter and end matter
  • icons and graphical devices.

We usually include:

  • an overlay of paragraph and character styles (annotations)
  • design assets (colour palette, common design elements).

The sample design acts as a style guide for everyone in the publishing team.

Internal text design

Text design (also known as editorial design) is the art of arranging type and layout. With an eye for detail, Nikki M Group creates sophisticated text designs combining:

  • typography
  • margins, grids and text columns
  • information hierarchies
  • design features
  • navigational aids
  • visual strategies to enhance learning
  • paginations and text flow.

Request a quote

Call +61 3 9584 6021

Talk to us about your project

  • Designing a maths series?
  • Creating a new edition?
  • Need maths expertise?

Download a price list

Preparing templates

Nikki M Group prepares templates that enable designers and typesetters to work more efficiently. This includes setting up:

  • master pages
  • paragraph and character styles
  • table and cell styles
  • object styles
  • type specifications
  • subscript and superscript sizes
  • alignment of equations
  • positioning of artwork
  • common design elements
  • a colour palette
  • sub-sections
  • a library of common assets.

Photographs showing a selection of covers from the Sadler maths series.

Sadler Mathematics was designed and typeset for Cengage Australia. The series consists of 10 textbooks.

Equations and typography

We have in-depth knowledge of how to prepare and produce maths content for education. This includes best practices for typography, such as:

  • knowing what fonts to use and where
  • managing equations, from manuscript to layout
  • use of mathematics symbols
  • definition of sizes and spacing
  • automating workflows
  • use of print specifications
  • use of editorial style.

Awards for maths book design

Our awards for text design include:

Publication design services

Consultation

Project briefing
and handover

Testing

Realising ideas through
working prototypes

Preference

We like it,
you’ll love it

Price list

Download a price list for publishing mathematics. Contact us for a formal quotation.

Concept design

The early phase of the design process, in which we outline the form and function.

Starting from $1200

Publication plan

Defining book structure, page plan and extent.

From $800

Cover design

Creating book covers for print and digital publications.

From $1500

Text design

Sample design of internal pages.

From $1500

Template set-up

Refining layout design before production.

From $500

Illustration style guide

Generating illustration examples and defining specifications.

From $1200

Prices are in Australian dollars and are GST exclusive. Prices are a guide only, not a formal quote.

Designing maths books

Are you a maths publisher?

Work with an award-winning team with proven maths experience.

Are you a project manager?

We offer advice and consultation to ensure you have the information you need to make the right decisions.

Are you a maths author?

We work with you to understand your objectives and help you get the best possible outcome.

Common questions

How much does it cost to create a sample design? 

Investing in a sample design that contains all the design elements will save time during production. It gives a consistent reference point for designers, editors and typesetters. Our sample designs are annotated with all paragraph and character styles. Sample designs cost from $2500.

Can you add annotations showing styles in a sample design?

A sample design created by Nikki M Group comes with all paragraph, character, table and object styles annotated on a separate layer in the InDesign file.

What is the best way to develop a concept?

Nikki M Group offers a range of options for developing concepts, from the art direction for a new series to how design elements should look and function.

Talk to us about your project. We will tailor services to your needs.

Do you design new editions or adapt to different curricula?

Nikki M Group can update an old edition to a new updated design, or we can adapt a current book for a new curriculum. As part of our concept design process, we analyse the current book to evaluate its successful features, consider feedback from users, then deliver a design that is refined, refreshed and reimagined for future learners.

How do I start developing a new mathematics book?

Nikki M Group works with publishers, designers, editors and authors to design and develop new maths books. We can evaluate your project and identify what steps need to be taken to get started.

Book a consultation to start the design process.