/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.7381238]

Hey /lit/,
/ic/gd/ here. Sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you could tell me what your favorite book covers are and maybe a tidbit on why.
I have to design a book cover and I can't tell if clever simple illustrations/graphics are better or dramatic illustrations of scenes.

[Anonymous No.7381247]

>>7381238

Minimalism is in right now, so make something simple.

[Anonymous No.7381260]

>>7381247
Damnit, that is totally not my forte.

[Anonymous No.7381293]

>>7381238

[Anonymous No.7381321]

>>7381238
I'd go with the former. Honestly I'm a fan of paintings being repuropsed, as long as it's done tastefully. However since you yourself are designing one something like pic seems more in order.

[Anonymous No.7381373]

>>7381321
I had an inkling that simple illustrations were much more popular, but I'm afraid that I am much worse at designing than drawing so I'm kind of nervous. This is an example of a study I did. So a flat and clean illustration would more desirable than something rendered and painted like this?

[Anonymous No.7381385]

[Anonymous No.7381390]

[Anonymous No.7381395]

[Anonymous No.7381418]

>>7381293
>>7381321
>>7381385
>>7381390
>>7381395
FUCK I am so FUCKED. I can't even tell why these would ever be considered attractive. They look completely vague to me. Anyone care to say exactly why they like them?

[Anonymous No.7381419]

Can anyone tell me the name of the book with the black cover with an egg hatching on it? I read in months ago but drawing a complete blank with the name and author. It was basically about a kid growing up with this strange character who comes into his life off and on and has a lot of effect on him and others with his alternate philosophies and whatnot.

[Anonymous No.7381427]

>>7381395
This one is much nicer.

[Anonymous No.7381431]

>>7381418
They're all just simple. I also like covers where it only displays the title gilded and written in a fancy font

[Anonymous No.7381440]

>>7381418
Most people are shallow, barely-conscious idiots. They're drawn to simple shapes and bright colors, because they're consumerist slaves. A book cover is like a candy wrapper and most of the time what's inside isn't worth much more.

[Anonymous No.7381454]

>>7381238
Look to the past for inspiration. Specifically, find book covers that have remained more or less the same for a long time. Examples include: catch 22, the tin drum, and the great Gatsby. That's all I have off the dome, hope it helps.

[Anonymous No.7381467]

Just keep it simple.

[Anonymous No.7381469]

>>7381321
Yeah I like old 1970s covers... some crazy piece of fine art and the rest is usually minimalist and a bit quirky in terms of design.

Dunno the contemporary minimalist ones are hit or miss with me honestly.

[Anonymous No.7381475]

>>7381440
Wow, this is really sobering. I guess the candy wrapper idea helps a lot, I'll go from there.
Thanks for all your help guys.

[Anonymous No.7381476]

>>7381440

[Anonymous No.7381488]

[Anonymous No.7381525]

>>7381488
This is actually interesting. I find I am partial to ones that use photography.

[Anonymous No.7381549]

>>7381525
The Vintage Press Nabokov covers also use photography and they're some of the best in the game desu

[Anonymous No.7381563]

>>7381418

Post something you like so we can see if you are wack af or talking about something that makes sense.

[Anonymous No.7381572]

>>7381549
these look dumb desu.

[Anonymous No.7381676]

>>7381475
Please don't take him seriously.
Think about why specificity in book covers is important to you.

[Anonymous No.7381697]

dude book covers are easy

[Anonymous No.7381699]

[Anonymous No.7381730]

Minimalism as a rule of thumb because you need to use your space carefully.

Small, intricate details are good, and can work in repeating patterns. If you want your great dramatic illustrations create large amounts of space to contrast with the illustration.

Why? To lead the eye.

Always.


And for the love of fuck use muted colors and rare hues.

[Anonymous No.7381743]

>>7381238

Just get a picture of a need broad on your book.

Also how are you /ic/gd/ without knowing how to design a book cover? 101 mate.

[Anonymous No.7381759]

>>7381238

[Anonymous No.7381854]

>>7381238
First of all, read the book, if you haven't. Think of an image that clearly stuck with you, and has some significance to the story but that doesn't give anything away to someone that's looking at the cover in the store.
Does the character monolgue about a spoon? Draw a fucking spoon. Keep it simple. How did this make you feel? Try to match the aesthetic in some way.
Think of what you're trying to do with the cover. It's the first thing somebody is going to see when they pick up the book. Regardless of whether or not you should judge a book by it's cover, it's definitely going to influence the readers interpretation of the story in some way.
Maybe look at the books you read and think about how the cover influenced your reading of the book.