Initial design for the cover of Mr Blank by Miranda Douglas
Iterative process of cover design
Creating a book cover is a task I really enjoy – but it’s a delicate dance between the designer’s vision and the author’s intent. Recently, I had the pleasure of designing the cover for Mr Blank by Dean Manning. It was a collaborative process, filled with tweaks, iterations, and thoughtful discussions, ultimately leading us to a design that captured the essence of the story.
The process began with my initial concept: a vibrant, colourful design that I felt encapsulated the mood and energy of the book. However, after several rounds of feedback – six, to be precise – the final version emerged as a more subdued, sepia-toned cover. This shift to a monotone palette reflected the author’s vision, and while I completely understood their preference, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness as the colour faded away.
As a designer, it’s my job to interpret a story visually and work closely with the author to bring their ideas to life. The author knows their work better than anyone else, and my ultimate goal is always to ensure they’re happy with the result. In this case, Dean Manning’s preference for a more understated, sepia-toned cover better matched the themes and tone of Mr Blank.
That said, I can’t help but wonder: does the absence of colour make the design more striking or less so? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which version resonates with you more – the bold and vibrant original, or the final, more muted design?
Designing book covers is a journey of compromise and collaboration, and every project teaches me something new. For Mr Blank, it was a reminder of the power of subtlety and the importance of aligning design with an author’s vision. What’s your take? Let me know in the comments!