LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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TIMELINE: 5-7 Classes
STUDENT TASKS
Your book jacket should have imagery that hints at the content and intrigues a potential reader. When publishers design book covers, they put a lot of time and money into designing a look that will lure people into picking up the book.
#1: Do some research, look at at least one of the following sites (you will need this for a WIHL question):
1a. Decide on what book you would like to re-design
2. Get a book from the "Free" shelf in class (see Mrs. M) or downstairs in the MPR
3. Use this book to make a template based on the size, include front, spine and back, and 2 folding flaps (see examples in class)
Your book jacket should have imagery that hints at the content and intrigues a potential reader. When publishers design book covers, they put a lot of time and money into designing a look that will lure people into picking up the book.
#1: Do some research, look at at least one of the following sites (you will need this for a WIHL question):
- www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-design-a-book-cover
- https://blog.reedsy.com/book-cover-design/
- https://kindlepreneur.com/book-cover-design/
- https://99designs.ca/blog/book-design/book-cover-design/
1a. Decide on what book you would like to re-design
- You must design a book cover.
- You may choose any book you wish, graphic novels are also acceptable. Websites, channels, movies are not allowed. The book must be an actual published book. The book must be school appropriate. No fan-fiction, erotic novels, or inappropriate unpublished works will be allowed.
- Preferably you will choose a book you have read and re-design it. Any language may be used.
- Book Cover must include:
- Front: title - author - publisher -
- Spine: title - author
- Back: summary/praise/barcode/price.
- Folding flaps can include: Author bio, summary, publisher.
- Front: title - author - publisher -
- Design varies. check out: https://buzbooks.com/the-anatomy-of-a-book-cover/. See example template below.
2. Get a book from the "Free" shelf in class (see Mrs. M) or downstairs in the MPR
3. Use this book to make a template based on the size, include front, spine and back, and 2 folding flaps (see examples in class)
- note: I can only print colour: 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14, at school
- if your book is larger than this, you may need to make 2 separate artboards, that can be printed on 2 separate pages
5. Use this Template Idea, as a guide for what is included in your book cover:
This sample template shows the layout for a typical 6″ x 9″ dust jacket. The actual flat dimensions of this jacket are 9.25″ x 20.095″ which will allow for 3″ flaps.
6. When Designing think about:
see more questions you might ask your self at the bottom of this page:
- text and accompanying elements: type, image, graphics, additional design ideas, etc.
- graphic elements you want to include.
- Think about the name of the book, the author and where they need to go.
- What additional informative information do you want to include.
- What color palette you’ll use throughout.
see more questions you might ask your self at the bottom of this page:
7. Once you are finished your imagery, layout and text for your book cover, then you can create a mock up: Use clipping masks, or layer masks.
Include a mock up of your design. Use one of the following templates:
With you final mock up image, include the original cover (you could put it beside it in a smaller version. |
8. Post to your portfolio and mark/assess this project in class with Mrs. M before moving on to the next assignment.
- SAVE your original files to be printed (final cover and mock up).
- When saving your files be sure to name them correctly: include YOUR NAME and the PROJECT NAME
PORTFOLIO SHOULD INCLUDE:
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TUTORIALS
https://medialoot.com/blog/book-cover-design-tutorial-and-free-templates/
https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-book-template-in-photoshop--cms-36206
https://medialoot.com/blog/book-cover-design-tutorial-and-free-templates/
https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-book-template-in-photoshop--cms-36206
RESOURCES
For an InDesign tutorial see the Adobe site: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/how-to/design-book-cover-template.html
For an InDesign tutorial see the Adobe site: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/how-to/design-book-cover-template.html
EXAMPLES and IDEAS
http://ansteybookbinding.com/dust-jackets/
http://ansteybookbinding.com/dust-jackets/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelstrolle/all-the-best-ya-book-covers-of-2021
great examples of book cover layout
unfortunately templates cost money
Optional - guiding questions
MORE QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF:
1. What’s my favorite book, author, or short story?
2. If I were to design a cover (front and back), how can I graphically represent it effectively?
3. Is there a quote or a memorable line within the story that I can incorporate graphically into my cover design?
4. How will I use the front/back book cover space effectively?
5. Is there an image, or graphic, I can incorporate into the design?
6. What font best represents my design?
7. What color palette will I use throughout?
8. What Principles of Design and Elements of Art can I incorporate into my book cover design?
9. Do I need to incorporate an image, or graphic...or can my front/back book cover design be creative and effective using only type?
10. How do I incorporate the author, and book’s title, into my layout?
11. Are there other informative elements I need to consider incorporating into my layout?
12. Do I want to manipulate an image in Photoshop and place it in an Illustrator design?
1. What’s my favorite book, author, or short story?
2. If I were to design a cover (front and back), how can I graphically represent it effectively?
3. Is there a quote or a memorable line within the story that I can incorporate graphically into my cover design?
4. How will I use the front/back book cover space effectively?
5. Is there an image, or graphic, I can incorporate into the design?
6. What font best represents my design?
7. What color palette will I use throughout?
8. What Principles of Design and Elements of Art can I incorporate into my book cover design?
9. Do I need to incorporate an image, or graphic...or can my front/back book cover design be creative and effective using only type?
10. How do I incorporate the author, and book’s title, into my layout?
11. Are there other informative elements I need to consider incorporating into my layout?
12. Do I want to manipulate an image in Photoshop and place it in an Illustrator design?