As we all know, a book cover is the first element that attracts the readers towards purchasing a book. This is the first impression people get of the story, and it has to be good enough to encourage them to pick it up from the shelf. That’s why to help you out in this task, we have created a list of book cover design tips.
Even though we’ve always been told not to judge a book by its cover. That is exactly what thousands of readers do every day. Keep in mind this doesn’t mean the writing is not important. But, if an author wants to stand out on a bookstore shelf beside other stories, it needs to grab the reader’s attention.
Before we outline some book cover design tips, it is essential to look at the basics.
Book Cover Design Basics
It is crucial to have a unique book cover if authors want to increase their sales. The best way to think about this element is to consider it as a movie poster. Remember the last time you went to the cinema and choose a movie without previously watching the trailer. Most people, in this case, will look at the next available visual, the poster.
The same thing happens with books. When readers go to the bookstore looking for something, they will first go for the book cover they like the most.
Even when it seems like this is just one element, it is actually composed of different parts.
Imagery
One of the things I love the most about book cover imagery is that there are endless possibilities. It could be a photo, illustration, or a collage of shapes. The important thing is making sure that the imagery represents the story.
When picking the imagery, designers need to make sure that there is balance. For instance, it has to fit with the typography. Otherwise, it could look too busy, which would repel readers. This brings us to the next part, typography.
Typography
The typography on a book cover also has different elements, including the title, subtitle and author’s name. In this regard, designers should always follow a hierarchy. That means the book title needs to be the first thing that readers see. Then, subtitle and at the end the author’s name.
For the final layout, designers can get creative. The title could be at the top and the name at the bottom. Or all the elements could be in the middle. To decide where to insert the typography, it is essential to keep in mind the imagery as well.
Now that we have gone through the book design basics, we are ready to look at some tips that will help us in this process.
Book Cover Design Tips
1. Sum up the story in one image
As we learned from the book design basics, one of the main elements of a cover is imagery. In this regard, it can be overwhelming to think about all the possibilities. That’s why it is better to begin with something simple. First, think about different images that will frame the whole story. Then, start eliminating the ones that will give away the plot.
In the end, designers should have at least a list of elements that they want to include in the cover. Keep in mind that doesn’t mean all of them should be inserted.
2. Get some book cover inspiration
Once we know what we want, it is time to look at how to lay it out. The best way to decide is by looking for some inspiration. In the market, there are already great book covers that authors or designers can use to get inspired. It is important to be careful in this step because we don’t want to end up copying somebody else’s design.
What we are truly after is noticing some patterns, arrangements, typography and visual elements.
3. Write down the themes of the book
This will be a pretty easy task if you are the author of the book, since you will know all the key parts of the story. As a designer, don’t panic. This doesn’t mean you will have to read the whole novel. You can just stick to the synopsis, and in case you need more, read the first two chapters.
Once the themes are outlined, it will be easier to decide which type of cover will fit the book. For instance, if we are talking about a serious subject, the imagery should reflect the same tone.
4. Reveal the genre
Even though many things shouldn’t be part of the book cover design, such as major plot twists, this doesn’t include the genre. You need to tell the reader what to expect from the story, whether it is romance, dystopian, or thriller, among others. For instance, if you look at the cover of ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder,‘ you immediately know this story is going to be a mystery.
5. Show your protagonist
If you still don’t know what to show on the book cover, consider the protagonist. Establishing a connection to the main character is crucial in the story, but it can be even more powerful if readers connect to it through an image. A great example of this kind of design is ‘The Selection’ series. The main character, America, appears in all covers, showing how her story changes.
6. Think about the spine and back cover
In this article, we have focused on the book cover design, but it is also vital to think about the spine and back cover. Especially the spine if the book is going to be sent to bookstores where only the spine will be showing on the shelves.
To have a cohesive design through these 3 elements, we recommend keeping the same background on all three. That way, it will be easier to avoid any printing errors.
By following these book cover design tips, you will be able to create the perfect first impression and increase sales in no time.