The Tribune

A book cover’s design is the most important feature if you want a best-seller, as it makes first impression with readers. If the cover does not stand out, you can almost guarantee your book will not be first choice on the shelves. Given that there are many books hitting the market, a striking cover can make the difference between a “hit” and a “flop”.

Even though stores display books with their covers facing the reader, these should still communicate that the pages within are worth a buyer’s time and attention. It must give away just enough to persuade the reader, and capture the story inside, without revealing too much. So, it may be safe to say that “a successful book cover needs to make a reader ‘feel’ things rather than ‘tell’ them something”.

I have observed many book cover designs that fail to convey the right message and, as a result, never leave the book stand. Thus the importance of creative graphics, eye-catching font styles and attractive covers gains more attention each and every time.

Buyers at any bookstore are bound to be attracted by the amount of creative energy that a book cover exudes, so it is important not to leave the design to the very last minute.

In general, cover designs ought to draw viewers in, providing enough intrigue and charm that they just have to buy it… without hesitation. There are many factors that play major roles in why your neatly-organised book is taking so long to leave the shelves, so let us dig a little deeper to find out what it takes.

Book Information

Treat your book cover like a living thing and allow it to speak for itself. In book design, clarity of identity is a prime concern. Regardless of whether you have crafted a work of fiction, a children’s book or an educational treatise on health and happiness, give a glimpse about key information contained in the book by delivering a cover that gives an insight into the nature of your core message.

Typography

The typography you choose for your book’s title and the author’s name can grow to become a huge brand in the eyes of readers, who usually buy a book because they are familiar with the name of the author or because of the tone of the story itself. Avoid funky font explosions and special styling. A cover should normally not use more than two fonts.

Cover Images

Cover images must act like “teasers” to your cover design, and not like spoilers. A well thought-out cover design tells a lot to a person about the book without revealing every detail. Cover images are more than just decoration; they draw a reader’s attention by telling the story of the book without them even needing to turn the first page.

Genre Expectations

If you go against what readers of your genre expect to see, your book will not be able to catch their attention. Ultimately, once it is in front of the right target audience, complete with a great cover, title and reader’s reviews, it will surely be magnetic.

Colours

The colours you choose for your book cover should help create the mood, and convey the message, you are trying to send. Many best-selling book covers feature a blue and orange design, or black, white and red one, perhaps because these colours work well together. Psychologists suggest warm colours are stimulating, and a synonym for energy, while cold hues are composed and better represent calmness in all aspects. Simple, classic contrast helps a cover pop, and is timeless and classic as a part of the framework.

This is very important: Give a glimpse about your book, but do not overdo it. Attention-grabbing and flashy are two very different effects with two separate personalities. Realise that it is not necessary for your design to scream your entire story in flashy fonts and eloquent imagery.

By the same token, although you should never divulge the full plot, reveal the hook. Authors sometimes ruin their story by giving too much information on the cover, which is negative.

As a final point, it is not a cliché, but people do “judge a book by its cover”. Therefore, it is important that your cover design always conveys a clear message to your buyers, and that you stick to genre expectations. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT COLUMNIST: Deidre Bastian is a professionally-trained graphic designer/marketing co-ordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of The Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.