Designing Covers

With the intention of getting really good at it!

Today, I drew cover roughs for two different books.

Designing covers is a totally different animal than designing spreads.

When designing spreads you’re doing a dance with the author. You’re working with a small creative team of an editor and designer and sometimes art director to create a world.

When designing covers on the other hand while you’re not working with them directly you’re creating something for the sales and marketing team. The considerations are way different.

You’re creating both the packaging, the marketing and the sales pitch all in one.

Though covers take a fraction of the time of the rest of the book, they are probably the most important task I have to do as an illustrator. I’d better get really good at it :)