COMICS/GRAPHIC NOVELS • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SHOP

Ed Shems is an illustrator who specializes in kid’s book illustration, book covers, editorial illustration, and comic art

WHAT THE ED?

Biography

EDFREDNED is this guy– Ed Shems. He lives outside of Boston where he waits all year to be able to grow tomatoes.

Experience & Expertise

Ed’s a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has been illustrating and designing for over 30 years– just a little bit longer than he’s been stopping strangers so he can pet their dogs.

With over 150 past and current clients, Ed specializes in illustrating middle grade books, book covers, and early readers as well as for the education market. He also writes, storyboards, and designs animated videos for large companies. Ed’s current obsession is with writing and illustrating chapter books, graphic novels, and comics.

Clients include:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sports Illustrated Kids, Scholastic, Neutrogena, Union Square & Co, Wiley, Yale University Press, Young Minds Inspired, CarrotNY, Hasbro, National Amusements / Showcase Cinemas, Black Enterprise, ASK Magazine, Spider Magazine, Highlights for Kids, Boston Medical Center, Dana Farber, MIT, Capstone Publishing, Evan-Moor, Museum of Science– Boston, New England Aquarium

Professional Affiliations

Ed is a member of the Illustration Advisory Council for the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Ed is the Featured Guest Coordinator for the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE), where he manages comic creators from around the world.

Ed is a long-time member, speaker, and volunteer for the Graphic Artists Guild.

In 2014, Ed testified before members of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives in a hearing alongside the publishing industry on behalf of the Graphic Artists Guild, The Copyright Alliance, and all visual artists concerning changes to the First Sale Doctrine.

THERE’S MORE ED?

Yup. See below

edfrednedcomics.com

Edfredned’s Comics and
Graphic Novel site

Drinking milk from the jug!
Socks everywhere!

My comics had to move out! It got to the point where they just needed their own space, so you can go visit them in their own home.

TAKE ME TO EDFREDNED's COMICS

edfredned-DESIGN.com

Edfredned’s GRAPHIC DESIGN site

Award winning design. From branding to invitations, with a hearty dose of social media and merch design.

TAKE ME TO EDFREDNED-DESIGN

Testimonials & Trust

  • Not only is working with Ed fun but totally stress-free. His process is highly professional, he grasps ideas very easily and is super quick with revisions. Also, he’s 100% responsive with emails. He will deliver his work in time (sometimes even ahead of schedule!). His illustrations are fun, modern and very consistent. I really enjoyed working with Ed, and look forward to more projects in the future.

    Yoana Y., Scholastic

  • I can’t thank you enough for your amazing work on this issue. It has been such a pleasure working with you and I can’t wait to collaborate again.

    Anna C., Honeycake Magazine

  • Love the illustrations I’ve seen so far, it’s been really cool to see you take these concepts to places that never occurred to us…

    Andrew F., BB&N

  • …I really enjoyed the whole design process with you. It went from nightmare scenario (previous designer) to so enjoyable and fun! Thanks. I’ve already given your name out as a referral…”

    Sue S.

  • Thanks for all your work on this project. Really great work, I’m happy you were on the team.

    Brian W., CarrotNewYork

  • …The work you’ve done for my alma mater, Simmons, differentiates the college + conveys its warmth/personal culture.

    Alice S.