.jpg)
Twin images were used on these cover
If you’re like most folks, you do judge a book by its cover. A book cover is designed to sell books, the goal is to intrigue you enough with the cover that you pick up the book and investigate what it’s about.
When a book cover entices me to pick it up off the shelf, I usually flip it over and read the back copy, and then open the book and read the first few sentences. For me the book has to have more than just an attractive cover to win me over.
The book covers shown have something in common. Look closely. The same image of a young girl running is used on Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth and The Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone. This is what's called a twin image. To see other twin-image samples, go to Bookscans, a website that has a database of book covers with a page that shows “twin” covers—cover designs that were used on more than one book.
Book covers have to say so much without using words. In my opinion, visual images are so very subjective, each seems to come with some sort or memory or desire, that you can’t help but attach that feeling to the book. Which, depending on the feeling evoked, can be a very good thing. Both of the books pictured above have a very different feel. Daisy Chain's cover is a sunset image, and The Four Corners of the Sky depicts a bright, sunny day.
The design industry has so much influence over culture, and designers will emulate a look that catches their fancy. That’s why so many books published at a particular time will have a similar flavor in their design. If a color or shape or design is considered hot, you can expect it to appear on more than one cover. Design styles come and go, and unfortunately publishers don’t have a crystal ball to tell them what design will be hot when the book is released.
Judge a book by its cover is a fun site that shows you a cover and allows you rate its effectiveness based on a five-star system. The site then shows you the Amazon rating for that book.
Interested in seeing some bad cover design? Bad book covers has collected a lot of them to look at
PsD, Photoshop Disasters blog has the infamous Castles in the Air book cover that shows a lady with three arms.
So what's your thoughts on covers? What do you like to see in cover design?
For more info: Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner recently blogged about titling and selecting a book's cover.
Amazon’s Top Best Books of 2008, Top 10 Editors' Picks: Best Cover Design
Comments
I love Daisy Chain's cover. That's exactly the kind of cover I pick up. The other one I would be less likely to. I never pick up books where the cover is dominated by a person, unless I have another reason to be interested. Maybe I know the author or something. But I'm not drawn to those covers.
Thanks for the links, too. I'm going to go check them out!
Interesting and fun sites. Thanks for the info, Megan.
Denver Christian Perspectives Examiner
I rarely read the first page. It's too much like opening a present before Christmas.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!