DOs and DON'Ts of ebook cover design - Page 2

queentess · 02-14-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bthrowsnaill

I'm reading a book called "Blink" which is about how people make snap "intuitive" decisions, more drawn out cognitive decisions, and how decision making effects purchases and product satisfaction. I'm only about half way through the book, but the section I just read about product research was very interesting. One assertion of the book, based on an analysis of product research, is that packaging not only effects a purchasing decision, but it also effects the level of satisfaction with the product. Examples are given that show, for example, that consumers can report a 10-20% greater level of satisfaction with a product if the packaging is optimized (eg: round tubs of ice cream vs. rectangular).

Oh my is this true. I've nearly purchased Girl With the Dragon Tattoo about 10 different times just because of the cover, even though the book description sounds like something I'd hate. And even better, it has two matching-style sequel covers! I want to own them just because they're pretty. Yes, that is stupid. And it doesn't change my want a single bit.

queentess · 02-14-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anke Wehner

If you resize an image, resize it proportionally.

Don't have the text touch the edge of the cover.

These are two of my biggest peeves.

#1 DO: Know Thy Color Wheel
If you put a bright orange title on a bright blue background, I won't be able to read it. Pick color combinations that are pleasing to the eye.

Accompanying DON'T: Don't use neon colors. They are very difficult to read and look like crap.

IrishEyes · 02-14-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocNoir

I want a cover to put me in a mood. Every time I glance at the cover, I should remember what the world of that book feels like.

Yes! I love some newer Regency romance novel covers that have a young woman wearing a modest but extremely detailed dress. I don't mean the dress is overdone just that you can almost see the stitches and feel the fabric. Sadly I have bought some books for that reason. I wanted that cover and I wanted to feel the mood it evoked in me. Now that is an effective romance cover.

Hate the half naked male bodice ripper kinds. No man in 1812 was that ripped because they didn't have steroids back then.

jrlewis · 02-15-2011, 07:04 PM

Since they're electronic, an ebook cover's legibility and shrinkability are important considerations. I don't like having my name (which no one knows anyway) and title dominating an area where some beautiful art could be, but I think you need to communicate effectively. Detailed art tends to get lost in the shrinkage.

jaxx6166 · 02-17-2011, 01:01 AM

Back when MoeJoe was around we used to discuss cover art pretty frequently. I'm to the point now where I would have rec'd sxc.hu and dafont.com for the go-to site for anything you need to create the cover of your dreams, but with adventures in stock photography, you can really see how the same PD/royalty free image gets burned out over the years.

When in doubt, follow the KISS algorithm. If you're nice and make friends on deviantARt you may be able to find someone you can commission cheap to design a cover for you (think $50/cheap), but that's getting a little bit harder to get lucky with as the ebook revolution takes the interwebs by storm. The suggestions to check out what everyone else does right are excellent. If you've got a lot of patience, you may be able to learn vector art and use inkscape to design your own images, if not, there's always the gimp, which I've used a lot lately and still haven't figured out.

Most of my mockup covers are done with stock backgrounds of scenery and stuff, getting the characters and anything that isn't a pretty mountain or desert sunset are really hard for me at the moment. =)

Wikimedia Commons is also your friend for links to useful stuff.

MrPLD · 02-17-2011, 01:17 AM

I'd say that since starting in publishing last year, we've burned through well over $1000 in artwork, both for covers and video-clips. We're now starting to hire various DeviantArt people as well to do some new things.

I do the compositing of the images into final covers but I leave the image-making to the experts

GoblinWriter · 02-18-2011, 01:00 AM

Heh, I'll let you know when I've got it all figured out. I've received "that's horrible" and "I LOVE that cover" from different people for the exact same book.

It's tough in the high/epic fantasy genres where pictures of characters on the front are common. Even with professional (traditionally published) books, the characters never really live up to the way people imagine them.

crich70 · 02-19-2011, 12:07 AM

In titles I would say use words that evoke a response. Something that catches the eye so to speak. I mean say you had a manuscript that you named "The Sea Cook" for example. Would you say that's a title that would inspire others to buy it? That was R.L. Stevenson's working title for "Treasure Island" believe it or not. A simple, clear font that contrasts with the image on the cover and is large enough to be readable but which doesn't take over is good. Also put it on the cover so that things are symetrical rather than lopsided. Don't have one part of the cover filled with stuff and a big hole everywhere else. Strive for balance.

sportourer1 · 02-20-2011, 08:52 AM

I dont read eBooks but have one published, are the covers important to people?

G J Lau · 02-20-2011, 02:09 PM

I agree with those who say keep it simple. If you believe the "Blink" hypothesis, most buyers of e-books will be heavily influenced by the thumbnail of your cover rather than the full cover. Seems to me that calls for an uncluttered graphic with a bold and simple visual pattern and a title that is clearly legible. Think about heraldry. You want something that is easily recognizable in a small scale.

MrPLD · 02-20-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportourer1

I dont read eBooks but have one published, are the covers important to people?

Very important. We're told not to judge by covers but the reality is that we do. A good cover can reduce the resistance barrier to someone impulse buying your book (along with a suitable price).

Paul.

jumpingjack42 · 02-22-2011, 09:51 AM

I've been struggling with cover design. i'm not much of a graphical whizz. Every time I think I'm happy with a cover i look at it the next day and decide it needs changing.

@sportourer1 I must admit I mostly buy ebooks, The cover is usually what first grabs my attention on whatever site I'm buying it from.

Some thing I've been experimenting with is a cover that wasn't book shaped. If everything you sell is digital then surely it shouldn't matter, just so long as it still fits in the book cover shape?

(I haven't used any of the experiments yet)

MrPLD · 02-22-2011, 10:02 AM

I suppose the issue with not using a book-aspect image is that when it's on Amazon or where ever, it's not going to fit too well when they post it up?

It's a good thing that you're not happy with your covers a day or so after... that means at least you're viewing your work with a critical eye and hopefully are improving with each iteration.

Paul.

jumpingjack42 · 02-22-2011, 10:12 AM

Most of my experiments have been with a book aspect sized image, but not worrying about making it look rectangular. So a white background and just stick within the confines of that image

Actually one of ASparrow's books is a good example of this -
(I like this cover btw)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/20932

I think part of my problems is I am too judgemental of my own work. It does help with re-writes though.

ASparrow · 02-22-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpingjack42

Most of my experiments have been with a book aspect sized image, but not worrying about making it look rectangular. So a white background and just stick within the confines of that image

Actually one of ASparrow's books is a good example of this -
(I like this cover btw)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/20932

I think part of my problems is I am too judgemental of my own work. It does help with re-writes though.

Thanks for the props for Peregrin. For an ebook cover, I just thought there was no need to shape it like a book that might never see print.

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02-15-2011, 07:04 PM	#19
jrlewis SF/F Author Posts: 160 Karma: 349656 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Device: Adobe Digital Editions	Since they're electronic, an ebook cover's legibility and shrinkability are important considerations. I don't like having my name (which no one knows anyway) and title dominating an area where some beautiful art could be, but I think you need to communicate effectively. Detailed art tends to get lost in the shrinkage.

02-17-2011, 01:01 AM	#20
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	Back when MoeJoe was around we used to discuss cover art pretty frequently. I'm to the point now where I would have rec'd sxc.hu and dafont.com for the go-to site for anything you need to create the cover of your dreams, but with adventures in stock photography, you can really see how the same PD/royalty free image gets burned out over the years. When in doubt, follow the KISS algorithm. If you're nice and make friends on deviantARt you may be able to find someone you can commission cheap to design a cover for you (think $50/cheap), but that's getting a little bit harder to get lucky with as the ebook revolution takes the interwebs by storm. The suggestions to check out what everyone else does right are excellent. If you've got a lot of patience, you may be able to learn vector art and use inkscape to design your own images, if not, there's always the gimp, which I've used a lot lately and still haven't figured out. Most of my mockup covers are done with stock backgrounds of scenery and stuff, getting the characters and anything that isn't a pretty mountain or desert sunset are really hard for me at the moment. =) Wikimedia Commons is also your friend for links to useful stuff.

02-17-2011, 01:17 AM	#21
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	I'd say that since starting in publishing last year, we've burned through well over $1000 in artwork, both for covers and video-clips. We're now starting to hire various DeviantArt people as well to do some new things. I do the compositing of the images into final covers but I leave the image-making to the experts

02-18-2011, 01:00 AM	#22
GoblinWriter vizsla wrangler Posts: 73 Karma: 120000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Kindle 3G	Heh, I'll let you know when I've got it all figured out. I've received "that's horrible" and "I LOVE that cover" from different people for the exact same book. It's tough in the high/epic fantasy genres where pictures of characters on the front are common. Even with professional (traditionally published) books, the characters never really live up to the way people imagine them.

02-19-2011, 12:07 AM	#23
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	In titles I would say use words that evoke a response. Something that catches the eye so to speak. I mean say you had a manuscript that you named "The Sea Cook" for example. Would you say that's a title that would inspire others to buy it? That was R.L. Stevenson's working title for "Treasure Island" believe it or not. A simple, clear font that contrasts with the image on the cover and is large enough to be readable but which doesn't take over is good. Also put it on the cover so that things are symetrical rather than lopsided. Don't have one part of the cover filled with stuff and a big hole everywhere else. Strive for balance.

02-20-2011, 08:52 AM	#24
sportourer1 Writer Posts: 117 Karma: 560236 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: London UK Device: none	I dont read eBooks but have one published, are the covers important to people?

02-20-2011, 02:09 PM	#25
G J Lau Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 415116 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Frederick MD Device: Nook	I agree with those who say keep it simple. If you believe the "Blink" hypothesis, most buyers of e-books will be heavily influenced by the thumbnail of your cover rather than the full cover. Seems to me that calls for an uncluttered graphic with a bold and simple visual pattern and a title that is clearly legible. Think about heraldry. You want something that is easily recognizable in a small scale.

02-22-2011, 09:51 AM	#27
jumpingjack42 DiSpLaCeD Posts: 98 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: kindle 2	I've been struggling with cover design. i'm not much of a graphical whizz. Every time I think I'm happy with a cover i look at it the next day and decide it needs changing. @sportourer1 I must admit I mostly buy ebooks, The cover is usually what first grabs my attention on whatever site I'm buying it from. Some thing I've been experimenting with is a cover that wasn't book shaped. If everything you sell is digital then surely it shouldn't matter, just so long as it still fits in the book cover shape? (I haven't used any of the experiments yet)

02-22-2011, 10:02 AM	#28
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	I suppose the issue with not using a book-aspect image is that when it's on Amazon or where ever, it's not going to fit too well when they post it up? It's a good thing that you're not happy with your covers a day or so after... that means at least you're viewing your work with a critical eye and hopefully are improving with each iteration. Paul.

02-22-2011, 10:12 AM	#29
jumpingjack42 DiSpLaCeD Posts: 98 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: kindle 2	Most of my experiments have been with a book aspect sized image, but not worrying about making it look rectangular. So a white background and just stick within the confines of that image Actually one of ASparrow's books is a good example of this - (I like this cover btw) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/20932 I think part of my problems is I am too judgemental of my own work. It does help with re-writes though.