Monday 22 September 2014

Covers and the art of cover design

So I spent most of Friday and the weekend designing a cover for Soph's short story (which she hasn't finished yet, but is getting there). I'm really pleased with it.

Sorry, I can't show it to you because that's her privileged and she hasn't decided on a title yet so it's incomplete, but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It's dramatic!

The more covers I make, I think, the better I am becoming and I keep looking back at the older ones and thinking I need to redo some of them. I love making the covers, which is why I do it and don't pay someone else (other than the fact that it's cheaper).

I use every resource and piece of advice I can find to improve. My latest find is this site: Creative Indie. It is truly awesome and I found it because I was trying to decide what font to use and Derek Murphy (the designer and owner of the site) has a post called 300+ Fool-Proof Fonts to use for your Book Cover Design (an epic list of best fonts per genre) and it's so, very, very useful.

I also have a new book called Digital Manga (picked it up in The Works in town, but have linked to their website) which has some very useful techniques that can be applied to all sorts of digital design as well as manga. I love The Works, they have all sorts of wonderful art books for such reasonable prices.

YouTube is also wonderful for techniques. So many wonderful artists out there ready to share their knowledge. I have learnt so many new things since starting this whole cover design stuff.

4 comments:

  1. I like to look at the e-book cover design awards and the comments Joel makes about the entries. Usually can glean some good information about what works and what doesn't.

    I think cover design is a lot like any other art. You get better with practice. What do you typically use to create your designs?

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    1. Looking at the best sellers in the genre is also a good bet.

      I use Photoshop - great tool.

      Also, thanks for the link.

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  2. I am very appreciative of the cover you designed for me. I love it so much. When I can afford it, I will send you a basket full of chocolate, and steaks. Unless you're a vegetarian, then chocolate and carrots.

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    1. :) I was very glad to make it for you - your book inspired me.

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