Books have several chapters and pages to grip readers with twists and turns and relatable characters. A book cover, however, has only a single page to catch the attention of people. A book cover should pique readers’ interests through a combination of imagery, text, and other elements. It should give them a peek of the story without giving the entire plot away. Simply put, a book cover plays an intricate role.
If you have a novel about to get published, you can work with a designer to ensure your book will have a great cover. But if you plan to choose the self-publishing book printing route, it’s best if you learn more about creating a captivating book cover. The same goes for those amateur designers who want to try their hand at book cover design. Here are some ideas and trends that can inspire your next design.
Hand lettering exudes relatability and honesty
Typography is an important design element of a book cover. As it tilts, skews, dominates, or glides around the page, it tells a quick visual story of what readers can expect from a novel or collection. While many designers go for bold and quirky typography, some choose the much simpler hand lettering.
Hand-lettered typography offers a personal, intimate vibe that can complement books that talk about the human psyche or are written in an honest, relatable tone. If you have a book that offers pieces of advice, go for hand lettering for the cover to make it like readers are about to receive a heartfelt letter from a friend. This type of photography also works for stories that portray intimate relationships between people.
Interrupted or partially hidden titles offer mystery
This book cover trend plays with the idea of interruption and missing parts, making it a good match for stories focused on mysteries. Covers with partially hidden titles tease readers about what’s to come. Want your readers to be invested in looking out for crumbs and pieces as a crime novel unfolds? Offer that visual story of missing pieces in the cover right away. You can also play with different elements to achieve that, such as using broken glasses, long tree branches, or duvet covers to obscure the letters.
Abstract cover designs intrigue readers
With nothing but quirky shapes, vibrant color palettes, and unique compositions, abstract book covers can convey complex ideas while leaving them loose enough to be open for anyone’s interpretation. These covers intrigue readers by giving hints or establishing certain moods with a clever mix of design elements.
Abstract cover designs can pretty much work on any story or genre. Just make sure that the nuance or subtlety of the cover design elements intrigue readers and help illuminate a book idea.
All-over patterns make the cover appear more tactile
A stark contrast to minimalism, bold patterns across the front and back covers have recently been dominating trends. These covers grab attention and demand people to take them off the shelf immediately. They also work online as these covers make the book seem more tactile, catching your attention even if you have tons of books to see in a single scroll through Amazon or other online stores. In a world (and virtual platform) full of distractions, you need a cover that can compete for people’s short attention spans.
Book covers need to be instantly captivating while staying true to the book’s plot, theme, or vision. Designing a book cover is a tall order. But as long as you know what works for your target readers, what’s trending, and which elements work well, you can create a book cover that demands readers’ attention.
