[PENGUIN] Research

Original book cover design 

• simple 
• mysterious 
• a serif font gives a feeling of seriousness 
• uses a sans serif and serif font to separate text
• title and author have same font weight 

Amazon reviews

The first impression of this book is of starkness. The front cover is plain, with the book’s title, its subtitle and author on a plain off-white background. The only decoration is a small picture of a bee at the bottom of the cover. The bee looks inactive, probably dead. Inside the book is text. There are no charts, no illustrations, no maps, just text. The small picture of the author on the back inside cover is in black and white, and he is not smiling. The contents are equally stark

Past non-fiction award winners

This is my first time choosing the non-fiction award option from penguin. I have decided to do some research on non- fiction book cover designs before I start to get a brief concept of the difference between non-fiction and fiction cover designs. 

2020

• does not look very nonfiction to me 
• obviously more experimental and thinking  out of the box
• looks totally different from traditional non fiction covers 
• creating new possibilities for new non-fiction covers, not limiting to straightforwardness of text
• mainly uses illustration to communicate 
• two main colours, red and yellow 

2019

• smart use of negative spaces to communicate idea 
• front cover matches with the back, reversing the negative space idea 
• only one font used, with different weight and sizes 
• centred hierarchy 
• looks classic 
• looks British 

2018 

 

• looks very scientific 
• the overlaying layers of circles create a gradually increasing radiant  
• grain effect to add depth in the simple design 
• typesetting matches with the background design from sparse to dense 
• very cohesive design, cohesive colours and cohesive spacings 
• back cover balanced out the low legibility of font cover 
• spine looks like words fading, clever use of spacings 

2017

 

• black as a text separator 
• only two ma in colours beige and black 
• 3 fonts, handwritten, round sans. serif and tall sans serif 
• hand written font ties well with simple illustrations 
• a vintage looking paper texture to communicate the content 

2016 

• black and white only and pink highlighter for key points 
• cannot be applied to my design as the title THE UNINHABITABLE EARTH is short 
• pink to communicate the idea of feminism 
• uses lines as text separator, straight forward 
• unique spacings of title, pink circle makes the cramped hierarchy easier to read 
• texturised background make it less digital looking 

THINGS THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO MY DESIGN 

• applying 2020 winner's design direction, illustration be the main element 
• adding texture on background to make it look realistic and less flat looking 
• deteriorating typesetting to communicate the idea of deteriorating earth 
• front cover contrasts with back cover 

Non-fiction book cover designs 

https://1106design.com/2018/11/30/nonfiction-book-cover-design/

• the more information on. the cover, the better 
• The title and subtitle should be compelling and specific, full of promises and filled with keywords. 
• buyers want to know that the book contains useful information for them. 
• The design should be straightforward, which gives the perception of reliable advice.

https://eschlerediting.com/nonfiction-cover-design-must-knows-nots/ 

• striking images and titles that speak to the reader’s desire to experience emotional intensity, growth/enlightenment, or to satisfy their curiosity.
• straightforwardness 
• make use of colours as tool to separate information 
• leave some negative space. much easier to catch attention 
• typographic settings and complementary colours 
• font sizes and hierarchy 
• red demands attention 
• stands out from the shelf 
• adding some real elements/ photos 
• a perfect photo that speaks for the content 

CONCLUSION

• negative space 
• less is more 
• bold, flat colours and graphics 
• there are a lot of range covers to attract attention 
• FONTS are CRITICAL 
• creates feelings 
• concepts rare more powerful than just typing on your title 
• compel readers to pick up your book 

Many non-fiction book cover are using text only design to communicate the main message that the book is bringing out. This makes it straightforward and creates and immediate effect of. attrition readers attention. Colours are also wisely used to stand out from hundreds of other books sitting the shelf. It is essential to make it attractive to make people choose your book out of hundreds of others.

https://www.coverdesignstudio.com/typeface-font-book-covers/  

choose a classic 

• fonts  should make a statement, or Comic Sans is more approachable, or cursive letters make romantic book covers
• when you need to guarantee results, a classic typeface will serve you best.
• Classic type lends validity to a product, or book, and offers reassurance about what’s inside.
• Recognizable type eases our concerns about taking a chance on something unknown.

Limit typefaces to one or two 

• A single typeface is all you need to design great book covers. Any more than two creates problems of clarity and consistency that can only be solved by reducing the number of variations.
• When combining two, choose a serif and a sans serif. They are usually different enough to create a complimentary look that will work for most book covers. 
• When using more than one typeface, it’s best to select two that are distinctly different, but that complement one other. 
• Avoid combining fonts that are too similar (Calibri and Arial, for example). It will look more like an accident than a design choice.

SANS SERIF

Helvetica, Microsoft Sans, Arial, Futura, Myriad, Geneva, Verdana, Gill Sans, Franklin Gothic, Tw Century, Calibri, Simplified Arabic

SERIF

Bodoni, Baskerville, Garamond, Palatino, Times, Lucida Bright, Cambria, Minion, Didot, Book Antiqua, Georgia

Case and weight 

• a combination of cases helps emphasize words and separate different text elements.
• Upper and lower case letters in normal weight are comfortable and familiar to read. They neither SHOUT like all caps nor accentuate like italics.
• All-caps are easy to read on a thumbnail and are especially useful in large point sizes for KEY WORDS in the TITLE.
• Italics are a great way to set off quotes, endorsements and blurbs on your book covers. Avoid italics in bold, however. They can be difficult to read, especially in smaller point sizes.
• Small caps are less intrusive and make a good alternative when all-caps are too strong. Avoid placing small-caps in italics or bold; they become difficult to read.