“Don’t judge a book by its cover” might be the most recognizable idiom of all time, but there’s no denying the impact an exciting book cover can have on the reader. Between original artwork, clever typography, and stellar composition, book covers are a near-endless source of design inspiration. Take a look at these 10 amazing book cover designs to uncover the principles of masterful and memorable cover art.
1. The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic has been reprinted countless times, with 17 new editions in the mid 1940s alone, but readers can still find the iconic original in stores. Although the striking illustration is directly related to a motif in the novel (a billboard for eye doctor T. J. Eckleburg), it also serves a symbolic purpose for the story over all. This cover shows that there’s value in illustrating the literal purpose of your product, service, or brand as a symbolic image; this gets your customers thinking beyond the surface level of your message.
2. Amsterdam
Typography and color go hand and hand, and each has huge influence on the drama of a design. In the case of this cover for Ian McEwan’s dark novel Amsterdam, both the type and color choices are undeniably bold. It’s the way the designer plays with layout, however, that communicates the most about this sharp and unexpected story. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these text elements, however unorthodox the outcome might seem. Just make sure that your choices complement the content.
3. The Dinner
In book design, the title and author name need to attract attention; the reader should notice them with just a glance. What better way to achieve this than to draw the viewer’s eye straight to them? The scorched tablecloth on the cover of Herman Koch’s The Dinner creates a bullseye effect that draws attention straight to these important elements. This effect can be replicated with anything from simple typography — as seen on the cover of Eric G. Wilson’s Against Happiness — to a series of arrows pointing straight at what you want your audience to see. Either way, composition and contrast come first.
4. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
This cover from Robin Sloan’s Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore has it all: balance, rhythm in the form of repeated elements, and a good dose of white space. What’s more, the indelible yellow is gripping. This is a mark of a good design: the ability to stop you in your tracks. Sticking with a single, shocking color can be used to attract viewers to your own designs. Added bonus: The print version of this cover actually glows in the dark.
5. Bad Teeth
Book sleeve designers have tons of striking photographs at their disposal. Sometimes, though, it’s their ability to reimagine basic, everyday objects as something entirely new that produces the best results. Design that makes the viewer stop and think, like the cover of Dustin Long’s novel Bad Teeth, is sure to get people talking. That buzz can translate to increased awareness of your brand.
6. The Craftsman
Here’s another case where photography is used in a wholly unique way. By turning pencils into a canvas on which to deliver those all-important book jacket elements — title and author name — Richard Sennett’s The Craftsman stands out. The photography also offers ironic insight into the book’s theme, which laments the lack of head-and-hand craftsmanship in the 21st century economy. Think of similar ways that you might use a photo of an object, material, or ingredient related (or ironically unrelated) to your product and turn it into a vehicle to deliver more information.
7. The Goldfinch
Like The Dinner, the cover of Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch leverages the power of contrast. It also takes advantage of 3D, an increasingly popular tool for designers due to its ability to channel reality and immerse the viewer in the brand experience. Also paramount to this design is texture — though the book jacket is just a flat photograph, you feel as if you can reach out and touch the torn and fuzzy paper.
Aside from being a beautiful literal interpretation of the story, in which a famous painting of a goldfinch is wrapped in paper and hidden away for years, this cover intrigues the reader by offering just a glimpse at what’s inside. Sneak peeks and teasers in design go a long way toward garnering attention.
8. The Flame Alphabet
One vital principle of graphic design is repetition — that is, repeating elements to create a consistent look and leave a lasting impression. The cover of The Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus takes repetition to another level by repeating both pattern — a stylized flame sourced from the book’s title — as well as color. The 3D effect makes the artwork feel tangible, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. This sensory-heavy style can be recreated in virtually any medium.
9. Never Love a Gambler
If less is more, then the cover of Keith Ridgway’s Never Love a Gambler is everything. When you’re creating a new design, always remember the importance of negative space, which draws in the eye and asks the brain to connect the dots — so to speak — to fill in what’s not there. When a design requires the viewer to work at interpreting it, it’s more likely to be remembered. As such, this is one clean and simple cover that’s impossible to forget.
10. The Italians
Retro illustrations, vintage patterns, and fonts that represent specific eras or cultures are all hugely popular in modern design. Besides allowing brands to express their visual identities, these tools communicate an identifiable and relatable idea that immediately pulls the viewer in. John Hooper’s The Italians is a historical survey of Italian culture, but you don’t even need to open the book to know its content— you can tell from the visual elements alone. There are traditional Italian objects and colors aplenty to act as clues. To keep viewers engaged, try to work such symbols into your own designs.
Inspired yet? If these book covers aren’t enough to get your creative juices flowing, visit your local library or bookstore. There’s no shortage of design excellence waiting for you on the shelves.
And for more information on book cover design, check out our piece on mastering minimalism!
Top image: Writer’s hand by modgiez
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