At Najla Qamber Designs we talk a lot about following cover trends. But how do you know if the idea you have in your mind is right for your readers? We can tell you from experience, many times the author's vision isn't what's right for the book. Too much symbolism can be just as much of a deterrent as too many elements on your cover. While some may like to think their cover will spark a new trend, the truth is you need weight in the industry to shift the proverbial tides. And if you stray too far from the reader's expectations, if your cover doesn't match your genre, then you stand the chance of alienating your audience. This is why we encourage you to keep the following simple rules in mind.
1. Keep It Simple
Help your potential reader by showing them exactly what they're looking for. Bonus points if you can use minimalist imagery to give them context. You don't want to focus on some obscure thing that, while insightful for the story, doesn't tell your potential reader what they're picking up.
2. Don't Overdo It
Flashy, complex design can look amazing. If it fits the genre you're writing in, go for it. But avoid over-doing it. If you go too far, you can confuse the reader.
3. Scalability Matters
It has to look just as good as a thumbnail as a paperback. In some cases, if you have the budget for it, many authors and publishers create a different ebook and hardbound covers.
4. Follow The Rules
Copyright rules are important. I think we can all agree, getting sued is not fun! We can't stress how important it is to cover your bases. Don't think so? Check out this true story from Laura Thalasssa.
5. Create A Hook
This can be your tagline (keeping it simple of course), but kudos if you're able to hook the reader with your image.
6. Be Kind and Keep in Mind
How do you plan to publish? If this is a pet project you only plan to circulate among a smaller group, like family or your classroom, your cover design will differ from mass trade paperback or electronic sales.
7. Color, Color, Color
Our team at Qamber Designs has years of experience under our belts, so we know what color combos work for the mood of your story. There is a whole science to colors and how they affect our sub-conscience. Check it out here.
8. Typography
What is this word, you ask? Much like photographers capture images, typography captures the mood of the text. It's the art of the text on your cover page, on the headers in your favorite books. The practice goes back centuries, to the first illuminated texts and other classical forms of calligraphy. Say you have a gorgeous cover, but the title is in plain, Times New Roman font. We could honestly write a whole post about typography, but we'll save that for later. ;)
