Company Profile

Brown Wells and Jacobs was formed in 1978 by three designer-illustrators - Graham Brown, Michael Wells and Phil Jacobs. It was originally set up as a creative design company servicing magazines and publications. It wasn’t long, however, before BWJ became a major force in the field of children’s book packaging. Their first titles (packaged for Hamlyn) were published in 1981.

Within a few years the company became truly international and by the mid-1980’s a long-lasting relationship was formed with Simon and Schuster in New York. That relationship, which continues today, launched a new era in pop-up books which took the pop-up concept to an older age group when BWJ developed an educational series. The concept was quickly emulated by many other packagers.

At that time, the company, by then under the sole management of Graham Brown, was recognised as a creative force in the small but elite world of pop-up novelty book packagers by initiating innovative new formats within the genre. This aspect of originality was noticed as far away as California - by the Walt Disney Company who, in 1989, approached BWJ to enter a working relationship which lasts to this day.

In 1991, the company began self-publishing in the U.K. They were among the first of the new novelty book packagers to do so and soon established a large list of trade pop-up books over a six-year period.

The company, which remains under the creative marketing talents of managing director Graham Brown, continues to embrace every type of project and offers an entire range of services - including detailed briefs, creating original formats for the trade and licensed character markets and producing special projects.

The company is located in South-East London in a converted Victorian courthouse. BWJ has clients all-over the world and is regarded as a leader in its field.

“The man in black”

Yvette is a writer, designer and editor with twenty-five years experience in publishing, book design, pre-press production and photography. She has professional experience in all areas of publishing and has produced over 200 books and publications, ranging from children’s novelty and educational books to guide books, quality non-fiction and novelty packs. She writes for all English-speaking markets – US, UK and Australasia - and has books published in nine languages. Yvette is based in Los Angeles, California.

Bruce graduated from Natal Technikon in Durban, South Africa in 2001. He was soon hired as a graphic designer in the children's publishing industry where he honed his creative skills to the highest level. Bruce moved to London to work for BWJ in 2004. He is BWJ's design director. Bruce's flair for design and creativity are evident in all of BWJ's recent books as well as the website. His exuberance is apparent in all of his work. Bruce is also an accomplished photographer.

Jenny obtained a degree in fine art from the famous Slade School, London, in 2005. During Jenny's time at The Slade, she worked for art publishers, Black Dog, where she developed a love of publishing. Jenny also worked as an assistant to artist Oriel Harwood. Her interest in publishing led to a meeting with Graham Brown and she subsequently joined the BWJ team as Production Manager. Jenny's art background, organisational skills and her creative input are major assets to the company.