How to Enter the Book Cover Industry (Is it even for you?)

First of all, gosh, speaking to a camera is so difficult.
The US book cover industry is a very vibrant and enjoyable place to be as an illustrator. At the same time, this is not for everyone!
Let me know what other industry you would like to know in the comment.
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Instagram: / dionmbd
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Portfolio: www.dionmbd.com
#illustration #freelanceillustration #art #bookcover

[@brittanybae7147]

This gave me hope. Hopefully I can come back here one day and tell you about my first gig.

[@Mettlehead]

This gave me hope that my work this past year might not all be a waste. This is the space I want to be in ❤

[@lyddiharvey]

Thank you for so much WONDERFUL advice! Illustrating book covers has been a small dream of mine but I'm clueless on where to start easing into that industry (at least for some exploration to see if it's actually a good fit for me). This was really encouraging and I appreciate you taking the time to share some of what you learned during your journey. I hope you're doing well with your work and commissions! Blessings!

[@Vivi.AloneDraws]

Can you do a video on how you practiced your illustrative works? Like did you redesign book covers? What kinds of things did you do to help build your portfolio? Loved your video by the way and thank you for the guidance! :)

[@caylajaninelewis]

Thank you so much for this super helpful vid. Really excited to see more of your context 😊

[@vitoriachagas6586]

thank you so much for your advices!!

[@pasteldumpster]

Great video! This is super helpful and interesting!

[@atcreateartworks]

Thank you for sharing your very genuine advice. This was very helpful and much appreciated. Best to you 😊🙏

[@barbarael]

Thank you for your advice. Great works! Congratulations.

[@luffypunketa]

Great video! thank you so much for sharing this insights

[@shawanalulu]

Thanks for a very insightful and thought-provoking video. I've been an artist for a few years and currently doing an introduction to illustration course and for our 2nd week's homework, we had to choose one author and design 3 book covers. I used my abstract art as background and really enjoyed the process so your advice is very helpful!👍🏽🥰🌹😊

[@sebastienlopezmassoni8107]

Thanks for these advice

[@radhikarajput6777]

Thank you sir for your advice

[@ruangrindu464]

wow, this video is very useful, thank you, please make more videos

[@hihijaz]

thank you so much kak udah sharing banyak. sukses selalu

[@bukakurung]

Goksss!!! Emang udah jalan Yang Kuasa yak, tetiba bisa nemu video ini pas emang lagi butuh dan berusaha jalan ke arah prospek book covers dan editorial design. Thank you very much, Mas Dion, atas insight dan wawasannya melalui video ini. Saya menyadari jika portfolio saya masih berantakan dan belum bisa fokus sih, dan alhamdulillah melalui video ini, saya akan berusaha untuk bisa lebih fokus dalam menata portfolio + mengikuti jejak cara yang Mas Dion lakukan, yakni researching kontak para art director secara mandiri, hehehe. Sekali lagi terima kasih banyak, Mas, semoga sehat dan sukses selalu. Aamiin (y)

[@jonaw.drawing7507]

Great and interesting Video! I'm not sure where I want to go with my art yet, so I really appreciate these insights into the Book Cover industry :D Thank you Dion.

[@dionmbd1328]

you got it Jona!

[@LiarFireDesire]

This was superhelpful. I think I finally know what i want to do with my life. Oh my god.

[@wepepe7603]

Thank you for sharing this kak Dion! I'm still figuring out where I'm fit in the art industry. I did join game dev, but I don't feel thats my place. So far I found that I love fantasy genre, and drawing tarot cards, maybe I can try to adapt it to book cover? Still trying to find the right path.

[@luciathefemininewoman]

Same I like fantasy genre it’s among my top genres for books, movies, and shows.

[@luciathefemininewoman]

Very straightforward on book illustration, I’m new to book illustration as career I am career and job searching. I am currently in college and I am just learning some new information about certain careers including book illustration. When I finish college I’ll receive my associates in visual arts and I’ll decide if I want to further my education or focus on my art career and find creative and art jobs on the internet. A few I’m interested in is photography, graphic design, video game designer, and book illustration. So here I am learning book illustration, if I choose book illustration and I’ll take your advice on creating a strong portfolio. I have empty physical portfolio books at home I never used and I think this will be perfect. If I want to become a book illustrator is get an education online or at college or university, take courses to get the skills to get a job, create a strong portfolio, and find and get a job for the job you chosen. I am actually an artist so actually I have some art skills if I practice my drawing and painting or coloring skills and study art, I could make my own book covers and select a few book color illustrations I feel confident in putting in the empty portfolio book and save it for getting a job in book illustration. Does that sound like a good idea? I’m interested in trying book illustration as job.

[@yudhaardhi4523]

mantap mas Dion :D

[@Mas_ibad]

makasih Kak Dion atas video penjelasan industrial book covernya yang sangat membantuku masih pemula dalam dunia ilustrasi

[@justachildofGod]

Dude! I literally bought The Shape of Thunder!

[@emiliapraharasukma3852]

Thank you so much for made this video kak, it's really helpful. Tbh as an art student it's kinda hard for me to choose the industry that really suitable for me, dan masih ngerasa 'lapar mata' ketika ngeliat karya yang bagus dan gatel pingin coba. Alhasil portfolio masih berantakan dan gak terfokus. Makasih banyak karena udh ngasih insight di industri book cover ini, semangat terus kak 🌟👊

[@dionmbd1328]

You don't need to choose early. You can try every one of them and see if they're for you. But, make sure your portfolio does not look like a mix bag or else itll be confusing for the recruiter

[@agungwasana862]

Entah ini udah jalanya atau bukan... pas lagi pusing2nya kemana gambarku ini ku bawa, nemu videonya mas dion... thanks for share, bro.

[@mg-kf3jc]

Thank u for sharing..this is exactly what i need kak, I got some questions here or maybe just a recommendation for a new tips.. 1. How to get my own voice for art? 2. Is it bad if an illustrator really do so many art styles?

[@ikelwelem9313]

Hello, i have questions, Early Career and Inspiration: How did your journey start as a graphic designer? What was your main inspiration in choosing the field of graphic design? Education and Training Journey: What educational background or training do you have in the field of graphic design? was there a specific experience or course that helped shape your understanding and skills in design?

[@kabbalahdivine9940]

Can I make a widely varied portfolio work by doing sets of styles? I think if there were 3 or 4 pieces that showed each style, it would make a cohesive portfolio, but I could show multiple ways I could create covers.

[@Baby_ananas]

Your video was the first thing I saw this morning. Thank you for being sincere and inspiring! I've been following your instagram for so long and now I'm happy to find that you also have a KZbin! Actually, now I have A LOT of questions, and I'll ask them later😄 Good luck!

[@Hahyyyyoooooo]

Baru nemu akun nya kakak😮😮😮

[@Ellon_irony]

Please how do search for art directors I feel im not doing something right

[@furuki60]

Makasih dion, kalo buat cari temen aku masih belum yakin, apa bisa kalo bikin portofolio terus kita pajang aja? Aku tertarik ke children book

[@georgek5737]

Hello! I would like to ask you something. My dream is to work doing book covers. I work traditionally. Do you think that it is possible for a traditional artist to work in the book cover industry?

[@tyedem6243]

Hey, Dion. Just got started in the industry. But can seem to find my signature design. Could you help more in details. Thanks

[@NN-fz4pd]

If you get paid 3-5k for one book cover and it takes 1-3 months, it’s good money if it takes around a month but it’s low money if it takes 2-3. That’s what I’m understanding so far. Is there other things you get paid for as well? Like when they give you the manuscript to read so you get paid for that as well or is that supposed to be included in the 3-5k? Do you get to decide you’re only going to spend 1month per book cover?

[@shadraklombard2844]

Hello. Thanks for the video. I wanna ask you : what was your major ? At college, I mean.

[@LuminousKugelblitz]

You seem like a nice guy and have a cute accent !

[@Fidence]

Must I be very good at illustrating in order to stand out as a good book designer? I am very good at photo manipulation and graphic design.

[@shewrites604]

Hii sir 😇

[@fajarpramono3147]

Gabisa inggris huhu