Hi, I’m HR.

Person in outdoor setting with driftwood background.

I design dynamic websites and award-winning books that fit the unique needs of organizations and individuals. With 19 years of experience, I ensure that every design project runs smoothly from concept to launch.

Recognized as a Squarespace Circle Platinum Member for my web design work, I know the possibilities for innovative design solutions are limitless, allowing us to explore new ideas and techniques that can elevate both function and aesthetics in your online presence.

My passion for design comes from a love of typography and the shift from print bursting into digital. As a book designer, I’ve designed over 350 covers and interiors in both print and ebook formats.

Check out my design portfolio showcased below, and let’s have a conversation about your project and how we can bring your vision to life!

Let's Talk

My Approach & Values

Collaboration

I believe in the power of collaboration to create exceptional websites and books. As an extension of your team, I immerse myself in your creative vision and goals. I work closely with you to develop designs that not only reflect your style but exceed your expectations.

Overcoming Design Challenges

My extensive background allows me to foresee potential challenges and implement effective strategies to mitigate them. I prioritize clear communication to align expectations and objectives. Through a meticulous eye for detail, I strive to deliver high-quality results that meet the unique needs of each project, ultimately enhancing the overall experience.

Accessibility

I employ a user-centered approach, ensuring that every website I create is not only visually appealing, but is also functional and easy to navigate. I prioritize responsiveness and accessibility, allowing you to reach your audience across various devices and platforms. So whether your viewers want to access your website on their computer, tablet, or phone, their experience is flawless.

Detail Driven

I take a detailed approach in my work to ensure the final result aligns with your creative vision and reflects your unique identity. We’ll work together to refine and fine-tune your site’s design, leaving no detail overlooked. By integrating the latest design trends and technologies, you’ll establish a strong online presence that effectively communicates your message and engages viewers.

Dozens of Websites Designed

With over a decade of web design experience, I design engaging and intuitive websites to work across all devices. I understand that no two website should be the same, and we’ll collaborate to meet your unique needs.
Squarespace Circle Platinum Partner

As a Squarespace Circle Platinum Partner, I’m ranked with the highest distinction level amongst professional designers. My top tier status comes with 25% off your first year of hosting, along with other exclusive discounts and perks.
350+ Books Designed

As a book designer with 18 years of experience, I specialize in working with independent publishers and individual authors creating both print and ebook editions. My work ranges from poetry and prose to academic, experimental, and hybrid texts, with a focus on designs that reflect and amplify each project’s unique voice.

BOOK A CONSULT

Recent Web Design Projects

CAConrad

CAConrad creates works of devotion, ritual, and fierce attention to the world around us. Their site reflects this charged, oracular presence: luminous and elemental, bold yet inviting. Custom CSS and tailored JavaScript bring subtle animations and depth, while numerous portfolio sections showcase their wide-ranging projects with clarity and resonance. The design embraces bold choices and risk-taking, pushing beyond convention to mirror the uncompromising spirit of their work.

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Anne Waldman

Anne Waldman is a legendary poet, performer, and activist whose six decades of work form a vital cultural archive. Her site is both a living archive and active platform, built with extensive custom CSS, spans over 100 dedicated pages, and features 200+ archival videos. Designed for clarity and movement, it reflects Anne’s visionary practice: rigorous, awake, and charged.

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The Red Read, Christopher Marmolejo

“The Red Read is something between an altar and art-installation. It now visual reflects the radical spirit and decolonial mission that the red read strives toward. If you are looking for assistance with your web design, I cannot recommend HR highly enough.”
—Christopher Marmolejo

VIEW WEBSITE

View full web design portfolio

Desktop computer with large screen displaying grayscale face and bold red text "MATUK," surrounded by keyboard, mouse, coffee cup, plant, and tablet on wooden desk.

Open laptop on a table displaying a the homepage for Anne Waldman's website with a photo Anne Waldman performing poetry with her band Fast Speaking Music.

A digital tablet lying on a black and brown bag, displaying the homepage for Four Queens Divination with a graphic of a flower with flames.

A computer on a wooden desk displaying the homepage for CAConrad's website with text that reads "Transmission was received inside the ritual, CAConrad."

Computer screen displaying the homepage for the poet and artist, Serena Chopra. The desk has a beige flower vase and a decorative golden branch against a white wall with curtains.

A laptop displaying a website about Sammie Downing, flanked by a tablet on the left showing publications and a smartphone on the right showing a video call, all on a wooden table with string lights hanging above.

What clients are saying

"After years of searching for the right format to present my work, the inimitable HR Hegnauer swooped in to rescue me, curating a portfolio that feels both elegant and true to my practice. HR’s design organizes my work beautifully, and dare I say, the presentation makes the paintings look even better than the originals! I am so honored to be represented through her vision. If you ever need a new website, look no further—thank you, HR!"

—Bridger Barksdale
"The Red Read is something between an altar and an art-installation. It now visually reflects the radical spirit and decolonial mission that The Red Read strives toward. If you are looking for assistance with your web design, I cannot recommend HR highly enough. She is truly the gold star standard (and certified Squarespace Platinum Member) for innovative design. Looking at her portfolio, I knew my work would not just be safe but aesthetically elevated in HR’s hands."

—CHRISTOPHER MARMOLEJO, THE RED READ
"Working with HR exceeded my expectations. I felt I had fairly unformed ideas about what the site should do and how it should look. HR listened carefully, asked all the right follow-up questions, and delivered a website experience that realized my aesthetic and conceptual goals. I guess I’m saying it looks cool, and it introduces my work to new audiences in ways that really support my efforts on the page. HR has a deeply integrated intelligence and skill set that combines technical expertise with an artist’s sensibility to render or translate the more inchoate things we’re trying to telegraph about our work, and I feel incredibly proud to be represented by my new website."

—FARID MATUK
“I'm a total Luddite, so when I found out about the wonderful and talented HR Hegnauer Design Studio, I was over the moon. HR is also a writer, so she really understands weirdos like me.”

—JOY ROULIER SAWYER
“I am thrilled with my new website. Working with HR is a delight unto itself, as she makes the process of assembling materials both sensible and interesting. Her design looks great and communicates a clear sense of my multifaceted work in poetry and performance. I am very grateful for the degree of HR’s engagement with the content, which is above and beyond anything I would have expected.”

—CARLA HARRYMAN
“Overland has been in progress for over a decade, but it wasn’t until I began working with HR that I came to see all the possibilities inherent in the work I was already doing. Not only did she create a beautiful, interactive website with the extensive materials I sent, but her vision prompted me to consider new techniques and approaches that I would not have otherwise considered. HR is a true visionary, and I am certain my work will continue to benefit from our collaboration for years to come.”

—SASHA STEENSEN
“I had decided to create a website for my writing, but I had no idea how to go about it. I'd heard that HR designed websites, and I emailed her about the possibility of putting one together for me. Immediately she responded, full of enthusiasm and questions as to what I envisioned! She immediately put me at ease as to the process and we bounced creative ideas back and forth. Working with HR, I felt so fortunate to be getting such professional suggestions from such a delightful source. Her ideas were fresh, cool, and fluid and best of all she listened to my vision. I'm so excited to have her graphic pizzazz energizing my website, while still feeling it's me, that we built it together.”

—MAUREEN OWEN
“The Four Queens website relaunch and rebranding is not only beautiful, but is also dynamic and user-friendly. I’m always getting positive feedback and compliments regarding the site's user-friendly pages and aesthetics. I know that relaunching the website is what has made my business goals go through the roof! Collaborating with HR was seamless; she grasped my needs immediately and delivered outstanding results at lightening speed.”

—SELAH SATERSTROM, FOUR QUEENS CO-FOUNDER
"HR's ability to organize complex materials into user-friendly and easily navigated pages is astounding. HR fully understood my vision! She worked quickly and efficiently to translate content into beautiful and intuitive visual arrangements. I wanted my book, Mud, Blood, and Ghosts, to have another life on the internet, and HR made that happen. Most book websites are simply advertisements for the book. But the website HR created is an artwork on its own merits. It's beautiful, dynamic, and easy to use. Working with HR was so easy because she got what I wanted right away and made it happen! I couldn't be happier with how it turned out."

— JULIE CARR, MUD, BLOOD, AND GHOSTS

Web Design FAQ

We’ll start with a free consultation to determine your design needs.
From there, I'll send you a proposal outlining every step along the way.
Once signed & accepted, we'll get to work! I’ll invite you to your personal client portal, and you’ll begin with my in-depth design questionnaire that I’ve developed over years of experience. I will setup of a timeline clearly spelled out with every step along the way.
With your participation throughout the entire process, we'll launch your website in no time!
I offer customized website packages to best suit your needs. So if you're looking for something simple or a website that's more complex and dynamic, you can determine the package that's best tailored to you.
I also offer VIP half-days where you can hire me to jump into your existing website to make any revisions, updates, or expansions.
My studio is located on Vashon Island, Washington. While some of my clients are also located in the Pacific Northwest, the vast majority of my work is done remotely. During your project, you have the opportunity to book Zoom sessions through my website for whenever is most convenient for you.
So no matter what your time zone is, I have worked with clients across the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico and South America, throughout Europe, in India, and Australia, too.
I love meeting new people and hearing about what your project is! So wherever you call home, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Timelines depend on the project, but I generally dedicate about 4 to 6 weeks to each client.
We'll setup a clear timeline with goals and deadlines for each step along the way towards your launch, so you're always in-the-know with how things are progressing.
Yes! We'll take the best parts of your existing website and bring them up to speed in Squarespace 7.1.
Once your new site is ready to launch, I'll transfer your existing URL, so your transition from old-to-new is a seamless experience for your users.
Absolutely! I have experience in developing e-commerce websites selling physical products as well as services, classes, and memberships. I can also setup donation channels for your organization.
Definitely. Once your website is ready to launch, I'll invite you to have full administration privileges, which will allow you to make any future edits, updates, or changes to your website.
We'll also have a 1-hour Zoom session to walk through every aspect of your website, and go over how you can make any edits in the future. This session will be recorded so you can refer back to it whenever you're ready.
Don’t want to make updates yourself? You can book me in the future for 1-day or 1/2-day blocks, and I'll jump back in and make any updates you need.
I'll invoice you for an initial first-half payment when we're ready to begin your project. You'll have the ability to securely pay via all major credit or debit cards, ApplePay, Klarna, or with an ACH direct debit bank transfer.
Upon completion of your project, I'll invoice you for the remainder, and then we’ll launch you’re website!
If none of these payment methods work for you or your organization, we can work out a different solution. I’m also happy to coordinate with institutions and invoice them directly.

VIEW WEB DESIGN PORTFOLIO

Recent Book Design Projects

Memory Rehearsal

Eleni Sikelianos
Cover printed with spot gloss varnish.
Includes over 100 archival and family photos.
City Lights Books, 2026

VIEW BOOK DESIGN PROJECT
Other Paths for Shahrazad

A Bilingual Anthology of Contemporary Poetry by Arab Women
Edited by Jennifer Jean
Bilingual edition in Arabic & English
Tupelo Press, 2026

VIEW BOOK DESIGN PROJECT
of Women

20 Japanese Female Poets /
20 Waka Poems
Translated by Naoko Fujimoto
Full color with 20 interior collages
Tupelo Press, 2026

VIEW BOOK DESIGN PROJECT

View full book design portfolio

Book Design FAQ

We'll start with a free 30-minute consultation to determine your book design needs. From there, I'll send you a proposal outlining every step along the way.
Once signed & accepted, we'll get to work!
I'll create sample pages for the interior of your book for you to approve before laying out your entire book.
For the cover, I'll create an initial draft based on your Cover Questionnaire. Then we'll get it finalized exactly right so that it's the perfect cover for your unique book.
Once your book files are ready to go to print, I'll send you exactly what your printer needs, verifying every detail and design spec for an expert print job.
I offer different book packages to best suit your needs. Whether you're looking to self-publish a paperback book or you're a publisher with a suite of needs, I'm happy to offer you a custom quote that's best for your book.
Timelines depend on the project, but I generally dedicate up to a month to each client, with the possibility of an extension.
We'll setup a clear timeline with goals and deadlines for each step along the way towards getting your book to print or launching your ebook so that your book is in your hands well before your book party.
Both! Through the more than 350 books I've designed, I've worked with every type of publisher including corporate, university, independent, and non-profit presses.
I've also worked with countless self-publishing authors looking to get their book directly into the world. If this is you, I can also help you navigate your printing and distribution options, too.
Certainly! We'll begin with an in-depth Cover Questionnaire that I've crafted over my 18 years of designing books.
So if you have a specific photo or artwork to feature, or if you have no idea what should go on the cover, we'll get on the same page designing your most striking book!
Yes! I'll begin my process with your printed book first. Then once those files are 100% ready for print, I'll convert them for your ebook format, either reflowable or fixed.
Definitely. Printing is such a beautiful and precise art, and we want to get it just right for your book!
I can offer assistance with off-set printing choices like paper stocks, color options, and laminate finishes.
Or if you're going the route of digital print-on-demand (POD), I can recommend which options would suite your book the best. I’m also happy to be live on Zoom with you, working through every step of this publishing and uploading interface.
While I personally only read English, I've made countless books in other languages or bilingual formats. I have fonts and software upgrades to work with any language, including character- or script-based languages, as well as languages that read from right to left.
You bet! I'm happy to make a postcard or bookmark to go along with your book. I'll be able to match your fonts and cover to seamlessly create your marketing material.
I also offer 3D mock-ups of your book cover and a few interior spreads for you to use on social media. This is included with all my book design packages.
When we're ready to begin your book design, your manuscript should be fully edited and finalized. While I don't offer editing services myself, I can recommend several trusted editors whom I've worked with for many years.
Then when your book is finalized and ready to go, we'll start right back up with the design.
My design studio is located on Vashon Island, Washington. While some of my clients are also local in the Pacific Northwest, the vast majority of my work is done remotely.
So no matter what your time zone is, I have worked with clients across the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico and South America, throughout Europe, in India, and Australia, too.
I love meeting new people and hearing about what your project is! So wherever you call home, don’t hesitate to reach out.
I'll invoice you for an initial first half payment when we're ready to begin your project. You'll have the ability to pay via VISA, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, ApplePay, Klarna, or with an ACH direct debit bank transfer. I also accept JCB, Diners Club International, UnionPay, and Cartes Bancaires.
Upon completion of your project, I'll invoice for the remainder.
If none of these payment methods work for you or your organization, we can work out a different solution.

What clients are saying

“I strongly recommend HR for both interior and cover design. Great communicator, delivers on schedule, possesses solid design instincts, and is also receptive to feedback. I had the pleasure of working with HR on four projects and she delivered exceptional work across the board. I especially appreciated her patience during the cover design process. I didn’t know what I wanted, but HR was patient and committed to getting it right. Once we landed on the cover concept, she knocked it out of the park. I get tons of compliments on the book’s cover and interior. I have a background in visual arts and am detail-oriented, so I have extremely high standards. The projects included a non-fiction book, a guided journal, a workbook, and a writing tracker. HR is a catch! Do yourself a favor, enlist HR on your book project.”

—Sascha Brown Rice, The Story Cycle Method
“I've been working with HR Hegnauer on book design for many years, first at Belladonna* Collaborative and, later, at Litmus Press. It's a gift to collaborate with a poet-designer whose aesthetic is developed but also very responsive to each manuscript and each new project she encounters. HR brings vision and direction to her projects without the ego! She's game to experiment, and she has produced some of my favorite book designs, both inside and out. Meticulous and eagle-eyed, I always trust HR to tackle the thorniest poetry typesetting we throw at her. In short, she is a brilliant designer!”

—Rachael Wilson, Litmus Press managing editor
“Futurepoem has been thrilled to work with HR to design the interior of our books for over a decade. We are constantly impressed with the consistent creativity, quality, and attentiveness she brings to each of our projects. And are always appreciative of her ability to accommodate our sometimes challenging schedules and by her clear communication throughout the design process. She’s been able to bring to life the creative visions of a wide range of experimental writers whose work spans lyric, prose fragment, to prose forms, textual collages, archival imagery and wholly new forms. While keeping in mind the visual identity and consistent standards of our press. What’s more, she always brings a fresh perspective to each project. We feel truly fortunate to work with her as a design partner and key member of our team.”

—Dan Machlin, Founder and Executive Editor, Futurepoem

Let’s do this!

Schedule a free 30-minute consult with me to discuss your design needs.

Book a CONSULT

Hi, I’m HR.