Summary:
Designing book covers is notoriously challenging and often involves multiple drafts.
Authors are often sidelined in the collaborative process, feeling like spectators.
The article shares 13 different cover designs created during the pandemic lockdown.
The winning design features a bar chart that visually references finance while remaining accessible.
Collaboration with professional designers ultimately leads to a successful cover that resonates with readers.
Book Cover Design: A Challenge Like No Other
Designing book covers is notoriously difficult. Before the publication of my book, The Bond King, I encountered Na Kim's insightful account of designing for Jeffrey Eugenides, which likened the process to a multi-draft exercise in ego death. The stakes are high: the cover must visually capture the book's essence while balancing abstract ideas with concrete imagery.
The Author's Lament
Authors often find themselves sidelined in this collaborative process, feeling like spectators in an artistic endeavor centered around them yet lacking their input. When my agent asked for inspiration, my productivity anxiety kicked in, and I began brainstorming cover ideas like a madman. My attempts ranged from abstract to overly literal, all while aiming to create the perfect representation of my finance-themed narrative.
The Creative Process
During the pandemic lockdown, I found solace in designing covers. I created a whopping 13 drafts, each varying in clarity and execution. Instead of discarding them, I decided to share my journey. Ultimately, we went with a design crafted by the in-house art team, which was clever and effective.
Concept Highlights
- The Yoga Concepts: Featuring my protagonist in various yoga poses, blending finance and wellness.
- The Bond Villain: A nod to Robert Longo’s Men in the Cities, implying a mix of finance and danger.
- The Literal Approach: An ornate cover resembling an old-school bond certificate, filled with intricate details.
- The Overly Aggressive Concept: A title play, The Bond Age, visually binding the words and cover.
- The Bloomberg Concepts: Capturing the essence of finance with a desk scene featuring a Bloomberg Terminal, hinting at success and chaos.
The Winner's Circle
In the end, the winning design features a bar chart that evokes the Bloomberg aesthetic, cleverly forming a crown atop the title. It strikes the right balance, appealing to finance enthusiasts without alienating casual readers.
Conclusion
Through this creative journey, I learned that designing a book cover is both a fun and frustrating process, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The final product reflects the expertise of professional designers, proving that collaboration and creativity can lead to remarkable outcomes.
Comments
Join Our Community
Create an account to share your thoughts, engage with others, and be part of our growing community.