9 Book Cover Design Trends That Will Sell More Books

Read time: 9 minutes
9 Book Cover Design Trends That Will Sell More Books

Book cover design trends constantly evolve. However, certain elements resonate with readers. Popular choices that will grab readers' attention include vibrant colors, bold typography, and minimalist artwork.

Unique textures and imagery that evoke curiosity will contribute to a book cover that stands out. Once you incorporate popular book design trends like these, you will have won half the battle. You will boost your chances of grabbing your reader’s eye, resulting in an increase in sold copies of your book.

1. Minimalist Symbolism

Some book covers are relatively plain. There is one picture or symbol and a blank space around it, which makes the picture really stand out. The words are simple, too. These covers are applied where the book is about real life or horror. They make people wonder about what is inside. They look minimalistic yet complicated at the same time.

Symbolism in its most simple form is also one of the most effective ways of setting up a certain tone and unobtrusively hinting at a book’s theme. When using this style in the cover design, you will manage to capture the readership and make your book stand out in the set market.

2. Maximalist Patterns & Textures

Other covers are super busy. It comes in different patterns and colors. The words used are big and the colours are clear. These covers can be applied when the content of the book is all about fantasy or history. They are colorful and have a lot of detail to them, and this easily catches the reader’s attention.

Maximalist covers are those which attract reader’s attention by hinting at the thrilling adventure that they’re going to have while reading it. Though some may prefer sleek, clean covers, maximalism has the ability to cause the book to not only be noticed on a bookshelf among many a crowd but also have an impact on those who will potentially be picking the book up.

The layout of the cover you choose for any book you read can either be plain and minimalistic or complex and multi-colored; it does matter and functions greatly in not just getting your attention and making you want to know more about the contents of the book.

3. Bold Typography as Art

This time, the words on the cover are enough to realize that it is a movie about comedians. They can be large and brightly colored or small and spirally irregular. These covers are typically the sort of covers found in poetry collections or books with concepts as their central theme. The fonts used when working with book cover design trends on the cover of a book can in fact be viewed as art because of the style used to draw the attention of one to a certain book.

The use of colorful text means you get a feel of the tone and mood of a book by just looking at the cover without opening it. Typography takes a book cover to an artistic level where it is not just a tool for selling the content but one that sparks visual interest and can be appreciated aesthetically whether it is arranged in a completely random manner or even better in a well-articulated design.

4. Digital Surrealism

Some covers look like dreams. Very different from the normal tea cups and saucers shapes and colors which are almost meaningless. These covers are universal, especially in science or fiction fantasy books. The application of digital surrealism on book jackets is to create an aura of curiosity as the reader’s eye is taken to a world of wonder.

These covers occasionally make readers feel eager to get into the book by guessing what is inside of them. The emotional element associated with digital surrealism consists of the fact that the unusual and improbable form evokes enthusiasm and anticipation for adventures that are to be found in the book.

5. Botanical Sophistication

That is why plants and flowers can become very good covers. They can be very basic or very comprehensive. These covers are normally used in books that focus on nature or books that are romance novels. The intricate work of botanical designs and the use of bright colors on the covers of books can make people feel that the product is classier.

They can also suggest themes of development, revival, and attractiveness which increases the meaning of the appearance of the book. Whether we are illustrating a beautiful garden or a small and frail flower, botanical covers remain popular among readers of all types of literature.

6. Photographic Double Exposure

Some covers use two pictures on top of each other. It looks cool and mysterious. These covers are often used for mystery books or stories about real life.

For instance, an illustration on the front cover of a mystery novel of a man walking in a grey foggy forest at night. For the layering of two different pictures, the only way is to use signs that contribute to the creation of depth and the mystery of a story in the picture itself.

7. Retro Revival

Some covers look like they're from the past. They use old-fashioned colors and fonts. These covers are often used for historical fiction or classic stories.

In this case, sepia-like colors and fancy fonts might be applied to a book cover that portrays a historical fiction novel. This kind of design may help to evoke a certain period and the mood of the story it is going to tell.

8. Abstract Minimalism

Abstract Minimalism Book Cover Art
Abstract Minimalism Book Cover Art

Some covers are simple and contain only shapes and colors. They are very new and sleek. These covers are used for art books or serious non-fiction books mainly.

For example, if the art book belongs to a certain decade, let's say the 21st century, then the cover that accompanies it might feature big shapes along with two or three colors generating a sophisticated look.

One might argue that the use of particularly simple designs can communicate the ideas of elitism, and erudition, therefore, speaking to readers interested in such topics. These covers are easy and beautiful at the same time – the simplicity makes the books easily noticeable and attracts the attention of prospective readers.

9. Illustrated Characters

Some covers contain images of the characters of the story. The pictures can be of actual things or cartoon characters. These covers are mainly applied to young adult novels or comic-related books. These illustrations are full of energy and make characters very appealing, so one can see something like the cover wants to depict.

Frequent and vivid picture decorations may help to appeal to children and present them with something interesting and adventurous with easily recognizable characters. These covers act as a gauntlet of what the reader is bound to find next in between the front and back covers of the book.

Design Tips

When designing a book cover, you need to think about a few things: First, assess the genre and the audience that is going to read the book, or, maybe, listen to its audiobook version. It should be a reflection of the story to attract the right kind of audience and also have the right feel about it.

Second, consider the choice of font type, and location of the title, and the author’s name. They should be easy to read and fit into the general layout of the rest of the site.

Finally, it is always advisable to make changes to all parameters concerning the finish and type of material to be used in coming up with the best-looking cover that can be easily remembered. With these design tips, you will be able to design a good book cover and also one that will improve the reading experience of the audience.

Questions About What Points to Consider Concerning Design Principles

A good design entails the need to understand the basics of design to come up with a unique design. This guide explores important questions that will assist in leveraging these principles in your designs, guaranteeing that in addition to aesthetics, usability is also maximized.

Genre: What kind of book is it?

The cover design of a book must show in clearer terms what the genre of the book is in terms of colors, images, and fonts that are often related to the genre. It should also reflect the mood of the story, from gloomy to sunny for it to pass on the feel of the book to anyone coming across the advertisement.

Audience: Who will be reading it?

It is important to do this while thinking of the target group that will be using the book most of the time. Adapt the design to their preferences, if you are addressing children use bright colors or if you are addressing adults use pastel hues. This helps guarantee that the cover appeals to the right readers, and entices them to find out more about the story.

Market: How will it look on bookshelves?

Designing a book cover involves considering genre standing, conveying tone and themes effectively, and considering online listings and advertisements. A professional and appealing cover in print and digital formats attracts potential readers and increases the chances of book success. Careful consideration of the visual presentation is crucial.

Digital: How will it look on a screen?

When designing a digital book cover, consider the color scheme, image clarity, and easily readable title and author name. Optimize the cover for different devices like tablets and smartphones to maintain visual impact and increase book visibility.

Conclusion

The covers of books are becoming more inventive as days go by. Along with new technology, designers have returned to older concepts to create covers that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Certain covers contain concepts through which readers can become directly involved, while others take advantage of sculpted fonts and prominent illustrations.

Being on the cutting edge of trends and trying out new ideas will help designers make covers that are noticeable in the sea of similar products. Finally, a good cover is what may inspire potential readers to take an interest in the book and therefore make them purchase it.