Q&A: Tania Estrela, Designer at Thames & Hudson

For Work in Publishing Week 2025, we're sharing stories from people who are in the early years of their publishing careers. Here we catch up with Tania Estrela, a designer who works as part of the Gift Team at Thames & Hudson.

1. What’s the story of how you found your way into publishing?

As a child, my dream was simple: “I want to be a painter.”

I’m a 1996 kid, and my parents, first-generation immigrants, weren’t entirely sure about that path. Like many, they dreamed of their child pursuing something secure and stable, more rational than creative. But even with limited means, they always supported my artistic side, buying me paints when they could or saving a beautiful piece of paper or fabric they’d found, thinking I could use it for collages.

I work on the Gift Team as a Designer, where our challenge is to transform Thames & Hudson’s core principles into something playful, tactile, and accessible

They had grown up doing what they had to do, not necessarily what they dreamed of doing. I think that made them quietly proud to see their child brave enough to follow creativity wherever it led. Growing up, though, I always needed reasons: “Why this colour?” “Why this size?” “Why this kind of paper?” I was pragmatic but loose, instinctive yet curious about the logic behind art. That balance led me to study graphic design, a field where creativity and reasoning meet. Today, I’m an immigrant myself, adapting to a new country and a new industry. It’s not easy, but creativity has always been my constant, the thing that keeps me chasing my dream of living from design.

I began freelancing as a designer, and over time realised that publishing is where storytelling, art, and design truly come together. Joining Thames & Hudson felt like the perfect next step, a place where I could grow, contribute, and connect my creative perspective to something I deeply care about: books and culture.

Funny enough, my role now brings everything full circle. I work on the Gift Team as a Designer, where our challenge is to transform Thames & Hudson’s core principles into something playful, tactile, and accessible, whether it’s a mythology-themed jigsaw, a deck of cards celebrating women in art, or an activity box inspired by Matisse.

It really is the best of both worlds, publishing and design, and I couldn’t have imagined a better way for my creative journey to evolve.

2. What skill did you find most valuable during your first few months in publishing?

Adaptability, without losing my essence. Publishing has its own pace and language, and stepping into it meant constantly learning something new. Lots of projects going on at the same time with different styles, being open to feedback, asking questions, and not being afraid to say “I don’t know yet” helped me find my way, but in my own style. As someone building a career in a new country, that flexibility has been essential, both personally and professionally.

It really is the best of both worlds, publishing and design, and I couldn’t have imagined a better way for my creative journey to evolve.

3. What’s a part of the publishing process you didn’t even realise existed before you started?

I had no idea how many steps exist between a finished design and the final printed book or gift. From founding an idea to the briefing, colour proofing and repro-house checks to production schedules and last-minute changes, there’s a whole world behind the scenes that most people never see. I’ve always been a team player, but going through the full process made me appreciate even more the collaboration and patience it takes to bring a book or gift to life.

When you finally hold the finished product in your hands, you almost forget the stress, the late changes, and all the back-and-forth. That’s when you realise that every bit of effort, every hour spent, was completely worth it.

4. What one experience really stands out from your first year in publishing?

The first time I saw a gift I had worked on displayed in a shop was unforgettable. I felt like a proud mum, I even stood by the window for a quick picture, and my smile said it all. After all the revisions, production discussions, and long days, seeing it out there felt surreal. It was mission accomplished. But more than pride in the work itself, it was a deeply personal moment. After all the challenges of starting over in a new country, learning a new industry, and finding my place in a new market, I finally felt that I truly belonged here.

Honestly, every time I see any Thames & Hudson product on the shelves, I still feel proud, even if it’s not one I worked on, because I know one of my colleagues did. It’s a shared sense of achievement that makes this work so special.

5. What’s the best piece of unofficial advice you picked up – something no one tells you before you start?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t stop until you find the answers. Search, refine, collaborate, and improvise when you need to. Embrace the project, embrace the process, and accept that mistakes will happen. They are part of growth, not a sign of failure. Do what you do, don’t quit at the first challenge, and trust that you are capable of more than you think. I know, I know, it sounds like a cliché. Honestly, I’m the queen of improvisation. My mum’s favourite advice is: “Who doesn’t have a dog, hunts with a cat!” and that’s basically been my motto in life and work: find a way, make it happen, and keep moving forward.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t stop until you find the answers. Search, refine, collaborate, and improvise when you need to.

6. If your career in publishing were a book title, what would it be – and why?

Unfolding Creativity - because each stage of my journey, both personal and professional, has felt like unwrapping a new layer of creativity. Coming from a background in graphic design and branding, I’ve always been fascinated by how ideas take shape, how visuals can tell stories and connect with people. Working in publishing, especially within the Gift Team, has allowed me to merge that foundation with something more tactile and imaginative: developing gifts that turn art, design, and culture into experiences people can hold and enjoy.

As an immigrant, every change and challenge has taught me to adapt, learn, and see things from new perspectives. This journey truly feels like an ongoing process of unfolding, creativity, collaboration, and discovery.