'Life and soul of the party': tributes pour in for Kerr collaborator Craig

Tributes have been paid to the former art director and “bon-viveur” Ian Craig, who has died aged 78, a long-time friend and collaborator of the late author Judith Kerr. 

Craig worked as a freelance for the last 20 years as Kerr’s creative director and before that worked for HarperCollins and Jonathan Cape. He was based in Scotland with his wife Kate. He died over the weekend after a short illness. 

Phil Perry, of Philippa Perry PR, knew Craig from doing publicity for Kerr. Perry told The Bookseller: “Ian was Judith Kerr’s editor, art-director and collaborator for over 30 years. They were the best of friends and she would often call him, whisky in hand, to talk through her latest book or if she was having trouble with a particular illustration.”  

She emphasised his warm and generous nature: “Ian was the person you gravitated to at publishing parties, guaranteed to make everyone laugh, but always with a judicious and kind word if you needed advice.” 

Lydia Barram, was Craig’s friend from working with him at HarperCollins (pictured here with Craig and Kerr at Kerr’s 95th birthday party). Now editorial manager at Lego, she said: “Knowing and working with Ian for over a decade was a privilege. We met when I began working on Judith Kerr’s books at HarperCollins, and my friendship with them and our time working together will always be one of the fondest memories of my publishing career. 

“A huge and generous personality, Ian’s arrival was always an occasion for much joy, and as an art editor he had a way of looking at things that made previously insurmountable problems seem simple. Witty and warm, he was quick with a hug and someone you could trust to bring out the best in anything he was part of, including happy summer afternoons in Judith’s garden with a whisky and wonderful weekends shared with him and his wife Kate at their home in Scotland.” 

Barram added: “He was so full of life and inspired so many in the publishing world, which will be a smaller one without him. My thoughts are with Kate and his family, and I will miss him immensely.” 

Ann Janine Murtagh, formerly executive publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, first worked with Craig at Jonathan Cape. She told The Bookseller: “I was lucky to meet Ian Craig early in my career when he was the art director at Jonathan Cape and he remained an inspiration and friend — most recently when he worked alongside the late, great Judith Kerr with whom he loved to share a fine single malt whisky and a rousing song. 

“He was the life and soul of any party and a natural ‘bon-viveur’ — but beneath the bonhomie lay a rare intelligence combined with a unique ability to make art and text work together in the most engaging and elegant of ways. He had an astute understanding of the principles of good design, which he shared gregariously and generously with those who worked with him. He leaves a legacy of beautiful and meaningful books — together with a generation of grateful designers many of whom who learnt their craft from him.”

Dan Franklin, formerly Jonathan Cape publishing director, commented: "When I arrived at Cape, Ian Craig was working for the children’s list, but our paths crossed occasionally, when the legendary John Burningham delivered a book for adults or Ralph Steadman illustrated a Roald Dahl story, and I got to see why a generation of writers and illustrators loved this man."

Val Brathwaite, creative director of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “We are all incredibly sad to hear of the death of our friend and colleague, Ian. He was the most wonderful person, clever, knowledgeable, kind, creative and the best company. He had an amazing career in publishing and always gave incredible support to authors and artists, including his long-term collaboration and friendship with Judith Kerr. Ian’s legacy shall forever remain here at HarperCollins Children’s Books in all of the wonderful publishing he has been part of and the lovely memories he leaves us with.” 

Kerr wrote of Craig in her Creatures book (HarperCollins, 2013): "In 1992 I had a great stroke of luck, as Collins appointed the great Ian Craig as my art editor. It turned out that we thought alike on a great many things, which made working together a joy. We have now been working together for 20 years, during which he has struggled to fill the many remaining gaps in my education, due to my never having gone to illustration classes. He has designed all my books and usually thinks of what should go on the cover and he always knows the answer when I am stuck. He is now also my editor and is any inspiration and a friend."

Kerr died in 2019 aged 95. She was the writer and illustrator best known for books such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (HarperCollins).