Books are meant to be read, and not just displayed for their good looks. But I’ve got to admit, when going book shopping, I look at the covers. Call me shallow, but after the author, a book’s cover design is the major factor in my purchase decisions.
In a roomful of books, the only way to not be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options is to breathe in the smell of paper and ink, go into a new age-y state of consciousness, and let the books call out to me. And how else can they call out except visually—using the language of colors, photography, typography, illustration, layout.
Colors
I like colors. I’m a kid like that. It’s no wonder then that I own a lot of children’s books, most of them acquired long after my official “childhood” has ended.
Cover illustration by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero
Photography and Illustration
I’m also a sucker for stunning images. Take this cover of George Orwell’s 1984. I was attracted by the dark circle nestled in the fuzzy blue one, against that expanse of white—up until I realized that it was an eye, and then it was ominously creepy, but still stunning.
That eye is creepy.
Type
An awesome title would be a waste if it can’t be seen from a few meters away. The creative use of typography can capitalize on a word such as Swerve or Blindness, and make the book all the more grab-able.
Cover design by Adam Laszczuk
Here are a few other striking book covers I found around the web.
Image from the author's website
Cover design by Samantha Wall
Design by Lucy Ruth Cummins, photography by James Porto
A zombified portrait by William Beechley makes for a quirky, irreverent cover for a quirky, irreverent book. Cover design by Bridgeman Art Library, Ltd., and Doogie Horner.
Cover art by W.H. Chong
Cover design by Jon Gray
I’m with you – I love cover art! McSweeney’s Publishing are champions of bringing beauty and creativity to all the works they publish.