Reading book covers

Today I was doing a deep dive into cover design. It’s a really interesting dynamic because you often have competing interests: the author wants a cover that represents their story, the designer wants something with artistic merit, while the publisher wants to sell books. The sweet spot triangulates on a design with commercial savvy, visual sophistication, and authentic representation. If you’re an independent author you have to make sure to channel whichever perspectives are missing.

Another interesting tension is the need to fit in and stand out–although fitting in typically takes priority over standing out. Readers need to immediately recognize your book belongs in the genre they’re looking for (fitting in). Only then can the distinctive elements grab their attention within that familiar vibe (standing out).

Going forward, here are the ten things I’m going to notice when I pick up a book.

1. The 3-Second Test: What do I notice immediately after looking at the book?
2. Typography and Hierarchy: What kind of font does the cover use, and how is the hierarchy of text laid out?
3. The Focal Point: What is the focal point of the image?
4. The Thumbnail Test: Can I read the text and scan the image at thumbnail size (160x256 pixels)?
5. Color Psychology: What are the dominant colors and what do they mean to me?
6. Genre Signals: What aspects of the design signal the book’s genre?
7. Sub-genre Specificity: Is the cover part of a sub-genre that may have it’s own special rules?
8. Composition and Balance: Is the image balanced? Off-balance? Does it use the rule of thirds?
9. Visual Flourishes: Does the cover include visual flourishes like ornate borders, vignettes and fades, geometric patterns, or textures?
10. Back Cover and Spine: Don’t forget to check out the spine and back cover if you’re looking at a physical book.