On the Recent Colorful and Creative Trends of Cover Design
When it comes to picking out books, I like to think I do look deeper into the story, but I’m also that shallow book reader who is swayed by a pretty cover. But it can also go the other way. I see many a pretty cover that I have a “get-on-my-shelf” reaction to, only to read more about the book and decide it’s not one I’d be very likely to enjoy. Nonetheless I’m a book cover art snob, and I love talking about the pretty “dresses” that adorn them. I’m so some different things going on in the designs of books these days, so I thought why not chat about book cover design trends?
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What I’ll do is break this down into four categories, four different “themes” or trends I’m seeing as I browse places with book lists (and probably waste too much time on this – anyone else do this?) or upcoming releases. There seems to be a lingering trend I keep seeing, two of which that, in the genres I read, seem to be surging in popularity.
I’m looking at these trends, and sharing some of the cover designs that implement them.
Colorful and Creative Book Cover Design Trends
1: Don’t Underestimate a Good Title (Text)
For some time now, the prominence of title text has been a “thing.” It also surprises me to see that most are also actually constructed (made by hand and then assembled for a photoshoot) vs. made in some type of digital editing software. This adds so much texture and interest to the cover. Here are a few “text takes center stage.”
Books: More than Maybe on Goodreads | The Shortest Distance Between Love and Hate on Goodreads | Not Like the Movies on Goodreads | Frankly in Love on Goodreads
2: Let’s Get Creative, Illustrated
This is the one I’m seeing so much. It seems to especially be a happening trend in YA contemporary. For the most part I really like it, but yesterday I did run across some illustrated cover designs that at first glance are cute, but take a closer look and the people have no facial features. That seems maybe a little… strange?
Despite this, I do honestly think this trend works really well. Some are even being re-designed to match the times like Katie Catugno’s books or The Library of Lost Things, which has a paperback re-design in this trend. Another thing this “look” seems to bring with it is vibrant, and fun colors, which makes it all the cooler.
Books: No Offense on Goodreads | Well Played on Goodreads | Party of Two on Goodreads | If I Never Met You on Goodreads | The Code for Love and Heartbreak on Goodreads | Beach Read on Goodreads | What I Like About You on Goodreads | A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow on Goodreads
3: No to Faces. Yes to Colorful Things.
Putting faces on cover art is a long standing point of conflict. Most readers do not like it, or at least that’s been my experience. I’m the opposite. I quite enjoy it. One of the more frequently used elements I see in more recent times is a “no model” look when designs that use buildings, shapes or other means to distort a face. For example, More than Maybe has illustrated people, but it distorts them more by overlaying text.
Books: What you Wish For on Goodreads | The Honey-Don’t List on Goodreads | Of Literature and Lattes on Goodreads | Some Bright Someday on Goodreads
On the Recent Colorful and Creative Trends of Cover Design. Talking about book cover design trends. What are YOUR favorite? #Creative #BookLove #CoverDesign #CoverReveal Share on X4: Shape it as Disproportionate
This is a design I only just picked up on. I see it in the featured cover designs (below) and am unsure how I feel about them. I think it’s not really one I love (although I confess to really liking Hannah’s), but I do hope to enjoy the stories inside, and find it interesting that these, like any of the other elements I talk about, seem to combine multiple concepts.
Books: Meg and Jo on Goodreads | Paris is Always a Good Idea on Goodreads | Of Curses and Kisses on Goodreads | Head Over Heels on Goodreads
…and I could go on (seriously, I had a lot more book cover images in my queue), but one has to stop somewhere, right? How about you? What are your favorite book cover design trends; what are you seeing more or less of? Is there any you’re loving? Comment all of your thoughts down in the comments.
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I must admit I prefer not to have faces on the covers of my books. I think it’s because I’m secretly a little worried that the faces will somehow have an impact on how I see the characters in my head, which I realise is probably a little silly, since covers always have an impact on how we approach the story, I think, even the ones that just feature typography or abstract designs.
Personally, I’m quite a fan of the books that make the title the focus (I love the David Yoon cover you showed, for instance), but I also think it depends on if it’s done well or not, if the fonts are well-combined and the colours work well together.
That’s ok. I know LOTS of readers don’t like people/faces on the cover. 90+ percent of the time I like it, but I understand why readers don’t.
David Yoon’s is cute. :) I like typography, but also enjoy the whimsical “sketch” trends and yes, abstract, too. All in all, there’s just so many to like…! Appreciate your visit, Sara.
I love a good font! And as much as I like more realistic covers with pretty dresses, I also really like the trend of illustrated covers – not only for YA, but also for adult books, especially romance. It’s just really eye-catching!
These illustrated covers are SO pretty. Not sure how long this will last, but it definitely IS a popular trend just now. :) Thanks so much for the visit, Angela.
I have always loved cool fonts on covers!! The illustrated trend…. I have to admit I HATE it. I don’t remember there ever being a trend that was SO pervasive. It feels like all the non-fantasy books have to be done this way now and I just want some uniqueness and variety!! It might have been cute at first, but everything gets old when 5,000 books look the same. Also, I just do NOT see YA when I see these. I think Adult Contemporary, but that’s just me. Great post!! I love seeing what other people think about trends :)
It is fun to read what everyone likes/enjoys! I suspect one of these days the illustrated trend will go by the wayside, although it’s interesting because I do see some books being re-published with this trend, so time will tell if it’ll happen. ;) Thanks for sharing your viewpoint, Michelle.