Inside Random House: "The Art of Cover Design"

One of the most exciting aspects of any book's publication is the design of its cover. Though many voices participate in this creative process, it's the designer's expertise that is most critical in making a compelling, eye-catching, and meaningful visual representation of the author's work to entice readers. In this video, we interviewed a few Random House designers to find out how they approach new projects; the many places where they find inspiration; and hear some fascinating stories behind a few memorable covers...Tune in!

[@jeffm5939]

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know about the book business. This video shows how I got jobbed by the first company who made my book and what a cheap design they did. Thank you for sharing how the real pros work.

[@southwestkinema9149]

Jeff M They give multiple covers to choose from. Not just one! Everyone take note when using designers.

[@karlweberliterary]

Remember, though, that this video highlights a bunch of designers and art directors showing off some of the books they are most proud of--big, high-profile projects that ended up being very successful. This is like dress designers talking about the looks they designed for the Oscars red carpet. Not every book and author gets this A plus treatment.

[@dtrez09]

Every design they showed was great because they all made me curious about what the book was about. They asked more questions than they answered if you get me. The concept seems similar to flag design where you want to have a reason for everything you're putting there, to convey as much meaning with as few components as possible. I do find it interesting that the author has so little control. Whenever I imagined writing a book, I usually imagined I would have control over the cover, where it was sold and pricing as well.

[@wb8695]

Why stop at the book cover though? The inside of the book offers lots of possibilities with visual expression such as typography, colors, alignment, even the paper type and size of the book can bring out the message or the vision of the book into tangible visually interesting results. People do pick up books for the covers at first, but they take them home for mostly what's inside them. Not to undermine the amazing work of those designers, but as an avid reader and a graphic designer I find nothing sadder than a book with a beautifully designed cover but with little to no visual treatment on the inside pages (also poor content but that's the writer's fault)

[@AeromaticXD]

You’d probably enjoy “House of Leaves” then

[@wfd87]

Mark Zs other books are in the same vein too!

[@lizzychrome7630]

Just personally, I strongly prefer the flat, minimalist/icon-based/child fantasy illustration covers to the crowded photoshopped ones or the ones with text over photos. Just my personal two cents. But thanks for this video!

[@AdeleCeleste]

Very helpful! Indie authors can always use more advice and inspiration on cover design.

[@Walkersbane]

This video is enlightening at best. It has always seemed intriguing to me the history and process that book cover designs underwent before hitting the shelves.

[@ylv4192]

Whenever I want to buy a book, I always search if there’s a version published by Penguin. I just love the orange color and their book designs. ☺️ And I notice their published books are interesting, worthwhile and valuable.

[@corybrandt2275]

Very creative using your daughter's hair.

[@mikemars2112]

Love seeing Intensity and some Crichton in there. Super-talented people over at Penguin Random House!

[@carbonc6065]

This is such an important video ... Thanks for the upload!

[@bhinderbinder]

I guess I'm getting old, but I really miss certain design styles from the 50's - 70's. Back then, covers were often illustrations, brilliantly drawn/painted by super talented men and women, which I remember to this day. Now, you see such slickness, perfection, Photoshop is almighty, but it's not my cup of tea. The digital revolution has changed everything, I guess.

[@AeromaticXD]

Beth Heinecamp no, not at all. Have you seen the 50th anniversary edition of The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov? That’s an entirely illustrated cover

[@booknerdcanada]

Love this!

[@12thDecember]

I wish I had thousands of dollars to spend on a book cover designed by one of these professionals. :)

[@unaanguila]

Thanks for sharing!

[@carcamper815]

Very inspiring!

[@lovetownsend]

One of the album covers for the black metal band Mayhem is a picture of their singer after he committed suicide with a shotgun. How provoking is that!

[@lucy1130]

My dream job.

[@SamuelBlondahl]

As an author with a formal education in art and design, I do my own covers. I am curious if that is frowned upon by larger publishing houses, or seen as a benefit. look for me on goodreads :)

[@johncaruso6268]

It's Only a benefit if it works. I've come across authors who think they're designers but don't have a clue ... and don't even get me started on typography.

[@MemorybooksbyPaola]

My dream job

[@vegabonddesivlogs9907]

I have written ten sci fi fictions. How can I get a platform to publish these manuscripts through Penguin Random House? In 2014, Penguin published an anthology of true life stories titled 'Something Happened On The Way To Heaven 'edited by Sudha Murty. The 11th no story is written by me.

[@RAYMONDCASILLAS]

I have those 3 Millenial book series.

[@FranciscoHernandez-cu2zu]

I would like to work on designing author book

[@mattstone8111]

I have my designers follow the author around for an entire year, watching their every move and doing extensive dream interpretation when the author awakes each morning. I find it works best when they are actually there alongside the author while each word is written. Sitting. Silently. Thinking about how important art is and hoping to catch a faint whiff of author farts nearby.

[@Sprtzya7370]

Who else came here for a school project

[@ian-jg9pv]

If you see any comments similar to this: "hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to uncover ebook cover software try Cranstirk Easy Cover Channel ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my mate got excellent results with it. " IT'S SPAM. I saw two comments almost identical to this one. I recommend that you report these comments like what I did.

[@KingsofCowan]

jasmyn sharif

[@god-son-love]

Buying a book for its cover. Ironically, even books looks more superficial than they used to be.

[@fevzikarsili7713]

It is against my principles to write bad things but in this case it is my civic duty. For the first time self-published authors, there is no end to pitfalls, scams, and abusers who prey on the inexperienced. I am just sharing my experiences with you. The only good thing I can say about them is that the paper they use for book covers is of a bit better quality than Amazon KDP’s, but that’s it. Lulu ABUSES WRITERS and withholds their royalties I do not recommend publishing with lulu. Contrary to their publicly announced royalty rates (the rates on lulus web page) they DO NOT PAY the amount they promise. Always less. NOT HONEST, money thirsty company. It would be wise to be away from lulu.

[@SDH2023]

All these covers shown are utterly boring. Like, are they kidding? Those designs are pathetic. No wonder book sales are down so much.

[@KingsofCowan]

well hay shootng stars id love someone to pick up my advertising/marketing film and publishing tab. i have been trying to collect my royalties for two yearsnow but ican only write a hundred and seventy pages every three days. well hay shooting stars if you can help with sponsorship or my publishing media marketing aand advertisements just call us.