Post on 27-Jan-2015
description
Thoughts on Effective Designfor Snippet Writers
Head of DesignBen De Rienzo ben@thesnippetapp.com
@derienzo777
Changing the way we sharestories, ideas and expertise
The Snippet DesignManifesto
Have the most beautiful and engaging platform on the planet.
Every Snippet can be beautiful.
First ThoughtsCover design is critical for sales
Poor design can repel and confusion
Consider investing in professional design
Deconstructing a Snippet’s Design
Deconstructing a Snippet’s Design
Cover TOC Header Chapter Header Chapter Cover
Design with the Store in Mind
Bold Title.
Legible Name.
Think Small.
What’s theTakeaway?
What’s the Takeaway?Even if you cover a lot of different things, what is the one constant in your Snippet?
What is the lesson, or message you are passing onto your reader?
Summarize your story or Snippet in one sentence, or in 4 words?
Communicate that with the cover.
Set the tone
The cover is the reader’s first impression of what the Snippet is all about
Texture Warm OrganicComfy Rich Earthy
Clean Cold Polished Hard Fresh Modern Sterile
What should areader feel if they only saw your cover?
Keep it Simple
http://bookcoverarchive.com
• COLOR
• FONTS
• IMAGERY
Simplicity in:
FONTS
• easy to read
• minimal font palette
• reliable fonts
Simplicity in:
Some Reliable Fonts:
DIN
AVENIR
BASKERVILLE
TRAJAN PRO
http://booksat.scarlettrugers.com/bookcoverdesign/what-font-or-type-faces-should-i-use-on-my-book-cover/
Free Fonts?
http://theultralinx.com/2013/07/
top-50-free-fonts.html
COLOR
• great contrast
• minimal color palette
• no gradients
Simplicity in:
Color Theory
http://abt.cm/1ah4dNColor Psychology
IMAGERY• doesn’t interfere with legibility
• communicate much with little
• represents overall theme
Simplicity in:
Photo resourcesStock: Veer, Getty, Fotolia, iStockphoto
Editors: Photoshop, Gimp, Pixlr, Aviary, Picnik
Check Out the Market
Check Out the Market• Look at books in your genre
• How do they use/choose imagery, text & fonts?
• If a reader is looking for something in a genre, they
might be browsing covers based on their expectations
Good Designers Copy, Great Designers Steal
—Picasso
Additional Resources
http://booksat.scarlettrugers.com/bookcoverdesign/
http://www.chipkidd.com/gallery.html
Info/Tips
Amazing
Designers http://mattlehmanstudio.com/Publishing
http://thefutureofink.com/killer-ebook-cover/
Blogs http://bookcoverarchive.com/
http://bookcoversanonymous.blogspot.com/