Book Cover Designs

"I know what I like ..." It's the most common response I hear from people responding to graphic design, particularly of book covers. I've been involved in indie publishing for more than a decade so I'm continually curious about how and why people respond to some images—particularly book covers—and not others. That opening line is often followed by "... and I don't like this," referring to someone's proposal for a cover. Or, sometimes, we get lucky and the response is "... and I really love this!"Usually that's the level of discussion—gut-level personal reactions. Of course, that's a good place to start as the designers featured in Matthew Goodman's very helpful book explain. In fact one designer explains that she is always wary of "over-thinking" a design. And the best covers often come "from the gut." Another designer says she's trying to "see" the cover image with "fresh eyes" so readers will respond to that freshness, as well. So, I'm not for a moment discounting one's "gut" or the concepts like "freshness."However, the collective impact of these 50 designers in a single volume with examples of their best work turns out to be greater than the individual examples. We begin to glimpse elements of language here, blending words and images. There are patterns here that a number of artists are exploring in their designs. As someone who cares a lot about cover designs, I find new possibilities for discussing cover ideas by drawing on the breadth of a collection like this.As other reviewers have indicated already: If you're a book lover, and have a corner of your home that is your library, then this is the kind of book you should have in your collection. And if you're involved in the broad network of writing, editing, design and the creative process of bringing new books into the world—then, I now consider this an essential volume.

Excellent reference for anyone creating book covers

Book has a large selection of covers, organized by designer - presented no more than 4 per page. The selection is very inspiring, and the book is a joy to browse through. Highly recommended if you're looking for inspiration.

Interesting book for a book cover designs lover.

If you've ever been fascinated or curious about what goes into a book cover this book is for you. I work in book publicity and frequently reach out to our production team with input on what is working and what is not in terms of cover design so I was really eager to look at the process as described by the artists and designers themselves. To my unexpected delight this didn't only have literature covers. I was pleased to see several covers that I loved, that had caught my eye in the marketplace, presented with information about the designer. I devoured this in one sitting and felt like a whole new perspective had been opened for me both as reader and publishing industry professional.If you're someone who loves art, design, typography, or simply just loves books I recommend checking this one out.Note: ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Cover Designs by Matthew Goodman will delight book lovers on many levels. This book is, of course, visually interesting; don't let that keep you from reading and thinking about the text in the book.I found the Forward by Nicole Caputo, "The Future of the Cover Designer in the Digital Age", to be a particularly interesting. It addresses the changes that have kept the print book alive and well and the role design has played in doing so.While each designer only offers a couple paragraphs of explanation they all managed to give the core of their approaches. If the covers shown are in chronological order then I would say a couple of the designers have changed (progressed?) noticeably over their careers.The biggest takeaway for me has to do with a fairly common comment from the designers in light of a reader's common tendency to judge a book, to varying degrees, based on the cover design. Many of the designers mentioned maybe reading a little of the book, possibly just the description or details from the editor. From that they will try to determine what they will use, what the mood seems to be, maybe a key element, etc. So the cover that we readers often use in deciding what book to look at in a bookstore is based largely on the mood a designer felt the book conveyed and then their idea of how to present that mood. All well and good until I realize how often I feel the designers have been successful, which I think is quite often. I find that both interesting and impressive.In addition to book lovers and readers I would also recommend this book to anyone considering design, especially cover design, for a career. As a coffee table book I think it will be a nice conversation starter at get-togethers.Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.

If you have ever wondered how a designer designs a book cover this book is for you. I found it very interesting to read how each designer approaches the work. The illustrations of the covers are wonderful. Both fiction and non fiction books are represented. This book can be enjoyed by anyone who loves books and design.I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

It's well good! Get it.

Fantásticas capas contemporâneas de livros!!! É um excelente material de referência... ótimo para ter ao alcance para pesquisar - ótimo para ilustradores capistas!!!!

Hago devolución del libro porque está maltratado, manchado y sucio. Como si hubiera sido usado.

Perfect !