HOW TO WORK WITH A BOOK DESIGNER
Most authors approach us with regards to the design of their cover whilst the book is undergoing its edit and final proof reading stages, some may question that if the book is not finished how will they know the exact size of the spine width? And to answer this question is that of course they won’t know yet, but we can still work around this, most designers should be able to create a cover and then adjust the width once the final count is known (usually about a week or so later).
But when you are at that stage of wanting to get the cover designed what should you be looking for? Here we have put together 10 top tips on what to consider when working with a designer and questions that you may want to think about before you start.
One - Examples
Does the book designer have books which are available to see online (other than their own website) – such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, you will want to see that they have some experience of going through the process already.
Two - Information
Remember the more information you can let your designer have the better, they will want to capture the concept regarding your book and the only way they can do this is by fully understanding what your book is about.
Three - Communication
This will vary from client to client and designer to designer, but clear communication which you are comfortable with is a must, it doesn’t matter if it’s via a phone call, email, Skype or meeting in person (if able to) as long as both parties have clear expectations.
Four - What do you like?
If there is a particular style of book design you like (and just as importantly one you don’t like), tell your designer, it can save you a great deal of time.
Five - Draft designs
Find out how many drafts you’ll get from your designer, some will offer only two to choose from where as others will off up to four, you won’t need twenty options but you will want to see some variation and ask them why they’ve created the differing options for you (if they don’t already tell you – there will always be a reason).
Six - Stock imagery
Most designers will use stock images for their work, this enables them to create great designs but without the large cost of arranging a photo shoot, however, these images can cost anything up to £50 each and some designers will bill you separately for them.
Seven - Revisions
When you have decided upon a design which you are happy with, you may then wish to make several tweaks to it, some design services will offer the first round for free and then will charge you an hourly rate thereafter, ask your designer what their policy is on this.
Eight - The Blurb
For a printed book you will have details about the contents of the book upon the back page, this is where you’ll give the reader the main points of the story in hopes of getting them to buy your book. It should be up to 250 words (you can put more but it will lead to a smaller font which looks unappealing to the reader). A well thought out blurb can draw your reader further in to the book itself, so choose your words wisely.
Nine - Images
Some authors will want to use their own images for the cover, this isn’t a problem as long as you own the copyright to the image and it’s of a sharp enough resolution to work on the cover (most printed covers need images of 300 ppi minimum).
Ten - Promoting your book
Once you have your cover designed what other advertising materials do they offer (after all, they’ll already have the elements which have made up your design), can they make posters, 3D renderings of your book (for your own website or blog), book marks, business cards, Twitter and Facebook banners or even the design to adorn a memory card with your eBook saved on?
But when you are at that stage of wanting to get the cover designed what should you be looking for? Here we have put together 10 top tips on what to consider when working with a designer and questions that you may want to think about before you start.
One - Examples
Does the book designer have books which are available to see online (other than their own website) – such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, you will want to see that they have some experience of going through the process already.
Two - Information
Remember the more information you can let your designer have the better, they will want to capture the concept regarding your book and the only way they can do this is by fully understanding what your book is about.
Three - Communication
This will vary from client to client and designer to designer, but clear communication which you are comfortable with is a must, it doesn’t matter if it’s via a phone call, email, Skype or meeting in person (if able to) as long as both parties have clear expectations.
Four - What do you like?
If there is a particular style of book design you like (and just as importantly one you don’t like), tell your designer, it can save you a great deal of time.
Five - Draft designs
Find out how many drafts you’ll get from your designer, some will offer only two to choose from where as others will off up to four, you won’t need twenty options but you will want to see some variation and ask them why they’ve created the differing options for you (if they don’t already tell you – there will always be a reason).
Six - Stock imagery
Most designers will use stock images for their work, this enables them to create great designs but without the large cost of arranging a photo shoot, however, these images can cost anything up to £50 each and some designers will bill you separately for them.
Seven - Revisions
When you have decided upon a design which you are happy with, you may then wish to make several tweaks to it, some design services will offer the first round for free and then will charge you an hourly rate thereafter, ask your designer what their policy is on this.
Eight - The Blurb
For a printed book you will have details about the contents of the book upon the back page, this is where you’ll give the reader the main points of the story in hopes of getting them to buy your book. It should be up to 250 words (you can put more but it will lead to a smaller font which looks unappealing to the reader). A well thought out blurb can draw your reader further in to the book itself, so choose your words wisely.
Nine - Images
Some authors will want to use their own images for the cover, this isn’t a problem as long as you own the copyright to the image and it’s of a sharp enough resolution to work on the cover (most printed covers need images of 300 ppi minimum).
Ten - Promoting your book
Once you have your cover designed what other advertising materials do they offer (after all, they’ll already have the elements which have made up your design), can they make posters, 3D renderings of your book (for your own website or blog), book marks, business cards, Twitter and Facebook banners or even the design to adorn a memory card with your eBook saved on?
