Giuliano, T. (2013, May 30). Yes, We Really Do Judge Books by Their Covers. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
e-Books and new technologies for reading have shifted the books are marketed. This article highlights the importance of competent cover designers and the different aspects that make a successful book, i.e typography, symbolism, and tonal pallets. Giuliano makes the assertion that cover designs are the main catalyst when first marketing a book and interviews Kris Miller, a qualified graphic designer for Random House and Penguin Books, and Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, a website that sells and markets eBooks. Digital book covers must be well thought-out, concise, poignant, and mature while still grabbing the audience, whether they are being viewed on an iPhone screen or a laptop. The design should be able to stand on its own and still convey meaning to the audience while exemplifying the targeted genre and acting as a cohesive, professional unit. Having all of these aspects, not to mention having a worth-while plot and story itself, is difficult for any designer, and the inexperienced “indie authors” especially. Miller expands on the “indie author” and whether or not s/he would be able to market his/her book without real experience with Photoshop Elements.
"R.L. Mathewson, a romance writer, went from selling five or six copies a day of her novel, Playing for Keeps, to over 1,000 a day simply by updating her cover image."
“When eBook retailers select books for special merchandising features, cover design is paramount,” Coker says.'
'“If the author didn't care enough to dedicate time/effort to their cover, I wonder how much time they put into the book itself.”'
This article shines a light on the importance of a well-designed book cover; the extent to which designs influence the success or failure of a book’s sales was fascinating. Technologies like Photoshop and other design programs set a high standard for designs -- mediocrity in visual marketing will not make for high-grossing products, especially books. Other technologies like eReaders and eBooks rely primarily on competent designs, summaries and reviews taking a back burner. I knew graphic design was a quickly-growing industry, but is it possible that graphic designers are the ones holding up the print industry? 
No comments:
Post a Comment