Book Cover Design Secrets Part 1: The Basics of Good Covers

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  • čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
  • Want to create awesome book covers but can't seem to get them right? In this video I share a few design secrets that will help you create better covers and attract more readers to your books.
    Watch Part 2 of this Series: • Book Cover Design Secr...
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Komentáře • 84

  • @synflwr
    @synflwr Před 4 lety +128

    As an artist, being told to “tell my designer” is like that Spider-Man pointing to himself meme. Good video though, very useful for making a cover.

    • @bluehorribledarkness1723
      @bluehorribledarkness1723 Před 4 lety +18

      I can relate to that. Im currently designing a cover and did some research to get a nice result and everything I find is "go tell your designer"
      but I AM the designer lol

    • @simplysaved1519
      @simplysaved1519 Před 6 měsíci +2

      Good point, but everybody’s not an artist. Some of us might actually need to “tell our designer” 👍🏾

  • @faithangelmasangcay7544
    @faithangelmasangcay7544 Před 3 lety +58

    I'm a book cover designer and it's always been a struggle to explain to clients why I have and require them to answer a project brief. Your video definitely reflects what I have in mind and validated it! Thanks!

  • @christinapearl7314
    @christinapearl7314 Před 4 lety +42

    Everything here sounds so professional.. As a child, I am slightly unnerved

  • @jacquelinerogers2997
    @jacquelinerogers2997 Před 4 lety +35

    Got to say this was the best video I've seen about book covers. I'll have to keep it as a reference; short and to the point but chock full of valuable information.

  • @IT-ki6vt
    @IT-ki6vt Před 4 lety +11

    Best video tutorial I've seen on book cover design. Articulate and clear presentation! Thank you

  • @EmilynWood
    @EmilynWood Před 2 lety +9

    My sister is a graphic designer and she tells me all the time how so many clients will procrastinate in giving the designers whatever the designer needs to work with for whatever project till the last minute, and then the client will say, "Oh and we need this TOMORROW." So be very intentional and responsible with your timing when working with a designer. Be reasonable and don't procrastinate in getting them the information they need because it's on you if they don't have enough time to give the book cover their best work in time.

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 2 lety +2

      Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more. Doing what you describe makes people subpar clients that designers won’t want to work with.

    • @syedarizvi7290
      @syedarizvi7290 Před rokem +1

      Wow, honestly that's kind of amazing... how can someone hire a designer to do something for them and just up and ghost the designer? That sounds so weird, as if they don't care about their project. If I were hiring someone, I'd definitely want to be available to answer any questions the designer may have. I guess some people are just irresponsible.

    • @syedarizvi7290
      @syedarizvi7290 Před rokem +1

      Also I hope you don't think my comment was rude, I was merely just discussing with you

    • @EmilynWood
      @EmilynWood Před rokem +1

      @@syedarizvi7290 You're good!

  • @authorericar.stinson4849
    @authorericar.stinson4849 Před 2 lety +10

    This is very helpful! I am a self-published author(suspense and thriller)and I have some graphic background so I have slowly been recreating my covers. I have five books currently, three on the back burner that is in the process of being remastered, reblurbed, and recovered(by me). I have been getting critical feedback in a cover group on Facebook, so that's been incredibly good because none of my books sell. I am hoping the new covers do the trick

    • @syedarizvi7290
      @syedarizvi7290 Před rokem +1

      Hope you succeed, God Willing

    • @1ekaba
      @1ekaba Před rokem +1

      @@syedarizvi7290 thanks!🙂

  • @aimeesparkles2152
    @aimeesparkles2152 Před 2 lety +3

    him: "tell your cover designer-"
    me: *cackles* as if I can afford a cover designer!

  • @cedwino
    @cedwino Před 3 lety +3

    I'm not a designer and the one I took for the job declined it. So I was thinking in something that I could do and no ideas came but I saw your video and everything was clear!!! I realized what matters for the cover and because of that I've got a good idea that even I could do. Thank you very much!!!

  • @Nico-pq2ky
    @Nico-pq2ky Před 3 lety +12

    I was writting my "own story" and i realized i need a book cover😅, lol

  • @QuizmasterLaw
    @QuizmasterLaw Před rokem +3

    this guys voice is beautiful.
    could do accent coaching.
    it's like velvet in ears.

  • @eilenelandry19
    @eilenelandry19 Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you so much for sharing this! This is extremely helpful!

  • @garizmabehl6048
    @garizmabehl6048 Před 3 lety +3

    Informative video. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. I see that you understand a lot about designer client communication and why it is so important for getting the book cover that you want. I am a designer and I am working on bible lessons book covers.It may seem to be easy but without knowing what my client is invisioning I can't provide him with satisfying covers. I do a lot of research along with clients brief and then i put my heart and soul to design every book cover. Visual appeal holds a lot of importance to convert a brilliant piece of writing into someones purchase. Design should speak for the essence of the book.

  • @vorthora
    @vorthora Před 4 lety +3

    I'm so glad I found your channel!!!!

  • @chrisford7351
    @chrisford7351 Před 4 lety +1

    Very professional! Excellent presentation. Book goals! Spot on! No work or art? Wow! Clarity! Very different!

  • @levimanley9698
    @levimanley9698 Před 3 lety +1

    I only have have of a first draft done so I don't why I'm here. Helpful video none the less.

  • @adrianavitzileou5198
    @adrianavitzileou5198 Před 3 lety +1

    Very clarifying, thank you!

  • @mattstone8111
    @mattstone8111 Před 4 lety +2

    This was a really awesome video! Preach!

  • @KrystinaLiberty
    @KrystinaLiberty Před 4 lety +1

    Very well presented information. Thank you.

  • @AsToldByHim
    @AsToldByHim Před 4 lety +1

    Great advice! Thanks!

  • @LeonAllanDavis
    @LeonAllanDavis Před 4 lety +1

    Super informative. Learned something. Thanks much...

  • @donarnold8268
    @donarnold8268 Před 4 lety +4

    Thank You!

  • @kaitlynturnboo6697
    @kaitlynturnboo6697 Před 3 lety +1

    I really like this perspective. I will keep these tips in mind for my own videos

  • @wanjiruwaramaauthor4024
    @wanjiruwaramaauthor4024 Před 2 lety +1

    I should have listened to your video before this. Thank you for clear, straighfoward presentation.

  • @amehak1922
    @amehak1922 Před 4 lety +1

    Very helpful and informative

  • @saranimator6746
    @saranimator6746 Před měsícem

    very informative and clear!

  • @keitasharikdarbyvolpeglass496
    @keitasharikdarbyvolpeglass496 Před 11 měsíci

    Excellent video, served me from start to finish. Greetings from Dominican Republic

  • @malikahmarbilal7600
    @malikahmarbilal7600 Před rokem +1

    Thank u very informative and clear.

  • @blackraydenschannel2495
    @blackraydenschannel2495 Před 3 lety +1

    Im from philppines. Watching your tuturial☺☺

  • @sallyalter6003
    @sallyalter6003 Před 3 lety +1

    Great video. Thanks.

  •  Před 2 lety

    What a nice guy. Instantly subbed.

  • @emeraldeelentertainment8988

    Great video Michael, as always. I'm currently on your 3rd book of the Old Dark Trilogy and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

  • @DaleLRoberts
    @DaleLRoberts Před 4 lety +4

    Excellent insights!

  • @BarbTodd
    @BarbTodd Před 2 lety +1

    You are so good!!!

  • @samsatsat
    @samsatsat Před 4 lety +1

    great video straight to the point! i'm a designer btw

  • @wanjiruwaramaauthor4024
    @wanjiruwaramaauthor4024 Před 2 lety +1

    After watching your video, I'm embarrassed of how much I have muddled through my book covers. I iwish my two book cover designers took a few minutes to explain instead of trying to satisfy my every want. Thank you.

  • @dashathenonprofitista4110

    Am looking forward to write a book but Ts still challenging as a beginner kindly help me

  • @terrymoogan3773
    @terrymoogan3773 Před 11 měsíci

    thx for your information just doing my book cover in London Liverpool bank robber to the hollywood butler. this has been help fun thank you. Terry

  • @Kowen-gh8vt
    @Kowen-gh8vt Před 3 lety +8

    What - what is the book about
    Who - who is the book about - who is the target audience (genre)
    Where - ? Where is where? Did I hear this wrong lol
    I'll just keep listening 😆 cuz I need this
    5 elements of a cover:
    1st - Title
    2nd - Series statement, tag line, subtitle
    3rd - Author name
    4th - Foreground (includes main character)
    5th - Background (scene/genre)

  • @cricketmania7364
    @cricketmania7364 Před 4 lety +1

    I'm your new subscriber. I have a question. I'm preparing for IELTS Writing, so. What do you think Grammarly is best to check mistakes in my written essay?

    • @ck607
      @ck607 Před 4 lety +1

      Use Grammarly. It's a great free source!

  • @robbyryannmunoz1293
    @robbyryannmunoz1293 Před 2 lety +1

    just got shortlisted for a german company book cover designers. i just dont know how to start, it feels foreign even tho i've been doing it for years locally.

  • @gloric8
    @gloric8 Před 2 lety +1

    Hey Michael...
    Thanks for this design info on book covers.
    You are right, my book is my baby, therefore, I am quite particular about how it's viewed on the cover. Is this information essential before finishing my book? Should I be looking for a book cover designer now?

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 2 lety

      After you’ve written the first 10% you can start looking, assuming the story you’ve written wont change drastically.

  • @DalCecilRuno
    @DalCecilRuno Před 3 lety +1

    Coming back to this video late late at night because I am trying to design my own book cover an I have no idea what I'm doing. Thank you.

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 3 lety +2

      You can do it!

    • @freefallingintograce4634
      @freefallingintograce4634 Před 3 lety

      Hi, I've been happy with using this website for my covers. You can select a pre-made one and customize the fonts or request a customized cover. There are hundreds of independent artists who post their cover art there. Hope this helps. Best of luck. selfpubbookcovers.com/

  • @adechandrahasibuan4612
    @adechandrahasibuan4612 Před 3 lety +2

    Ding Ding?! Yeah, Ding Ding!

  • @WorkshopBuilds
    @WorkshopBuilds Před 4 měsíci

    I have a question: I am a digital artist and have a working knowledge about digital design. I want to make my book cover on my own, but I also want it to look attracting and professional. I don't have much starting capital to support this book and I am kind of saving it all for publication. Should I risk it and design the cover on my own, or should I pay someone else? Thank you!

  • @oliviaelderberry9423
    @oliviaelderberry9423 Před rokem

    Reedsy is where I find editors, and book cover designers.

  • @lil_vendingmachine2842
    @lil_vendingmachine2842 Před 4 lety +2

    I have to make a cover for a project

  • @IanHollis
    @IanHollis Před 2 lety +1

    I'm curious about series'. Should the name of my series go on the front cover, or is it enough to have it on the inside pages?

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 2 lety

      I always recommend putting the series name on the cover. Otherwise readers won’t know it’s a series.

  • @janparchanski9242
    @janparchanski9242 Před rokem

    What about attract, intrigue, message ? Shouldn't be the most important thing to evoke curiosity as well as attract the customers attention first with of course clear message ?

  • @carlk8308
    @carlk8308 Před 4 lety +3

    Great video, Michael, as usual. Thank you, sir. Rule #1 - Don't try a DIY cover unless your a graphic designer.

    • @abigailjoanna6139
      @abigailjoanna6139 Před 3 lety +1

      @BKM Publishing you don't need to hold the professional title, but you had BETTER know how to make a fitting cover, because amateur covers look amateur to readers.

  • @user-dx4cc8sn1e
    @user-dx4cc8sn1e Před 2 lety

    How much should you spend on a book cover?

  • @andreasanchez3557
    @andreasanchez3557 Před 2 lety +1

    Can I send my designer a concept of how I’d like the cover to look?

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 2 lety

      Sure, just make sure you’re clear in what you’re looking for. Sometimes it’s better to let the designer have generic info. If you’re too specific you could confuse them.

    • @andreasanchez3557
      @andreasanchez3557 Před 2 lety +1

      @@AuthorLevelUp Thanks !

  • @SpicePrincess1890
    @SpicePrincess1890 Před 3 lety +5

    Personally, as an artist, I would rather have more specific detail for the character (like if they have an earing in the left ear and red chucks) because those things can be easily (or appopriately, rather) created using photomanipulation and photobashing which won't require having to do photoshoots.

    • @AuthorLevelUp
      @AuthorLevelUp  Před 3 lety +1

      That’s well said. I default to the opposite because I’ve seen that authors like to micromanage their designs without having a good understanding of how photo manipulation works. If the author can provide specific details RESPONSIBLY, then yes I agree 100%.

  • @urbasaleem
    @urbasaleem Před 4 lety +3

    Much power to you #BlackLivesMatter

  • @iNobMx
    @iNobMx Před 3 lety +3

    I am doing a fortnite book
    if it works I will try a minecraft book
    then something else

  • @suzysquidink
    @suzysquidink Před 4 lety +2

    Algorithm comment!

  • @GusHeck
    @GusHeck Před rokem

    Video tip... get a stable mic that doesn't shake and distract the viewer.