BFP is adamant that every book cover produced by our cover designers is the best possible content representation for his or her treasured book. A great way to express how BFP goes about creating such special "right-on-target" covers, is really summed up by book cover artist and designer, Debra Luptak. BFP chooses to use Debra's personal explanation of how this process works. Any author can experience this creative process right along with Debra as she takes on a new book cover assignment. Keep in mind that each of our BFP book cover designers goes through similar steps using their own unique talents, techniques and terrific ideas, but this is our cover design philosophy in a nutshell. Debra says, as a well seasoned cover designer, here are my best practices when designing a book cover for an author:
There are three major areas when designing the ideal cover for an author's next book:
- Book Content and Audience — What is the book's subject matter and audience profile?
- The Wowzee Effect — What cover design will stand out above the rest?
- Marketing Trends — What cover design will sell this book?
As a paperback or hardcover book designer, I am an artist, an artist that is extremely passionate in what I do. The perfect cover design needs to address the three major areas listed above in order to compete in the book publishing industry and retail stores in the 21st Century.
As a cover designer, my process is pretty straightforward. I work closely with the author to get to know them on a more intimate level, since the author's book needs to become my passion, as well as their passion. I work closely with the author to keep them abreast of marketing trends; what will sell vs. what will not sell as a cover design in today's retail market.
I use my artistic skill set to design a cover that will not only capture the theme of the book's content, but to also create a cover that will catch the eye of the most important person, the buyer. A good cover design needs to stand out above the rest, and that's why many elements need to be discussed between the author and myself, to incorporate all components into designing the optimal cover for the author's next book.
Debra Luptak
Black Forest Press Cover Designer
