Book Cover Design
Designing book covers has always been one of my favorite projects. Each one presents a unique challenge, and I love incorporating subtle details that hint at the story within. It’s a great opportunity to create visually striking designs that represent the story and urge readers to dive in.
Background
Research has always been one of my favorite parts of the design process, and book covers require a deep understanding of the story’s intricacies and main themes. While it’s possible to create a visually striking cover without this knowledge, it wouldn’t have the same depth or meaning.
Before I begin developing concepts, I take time to reflect on the story and consider which design approach best conveys its theme. For this cover of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (my favorite book), I felt that a collage of patterns—each representing an aspect of the story—was the perfect way to capture the spirit of this American classic from 1960.
The Details
My most in-depth book cover design was for my thesis project (detailed more here). With the Mississippi River as the central theme, I knew I wanted to incorporate it into the cover design. Since the project was created using as many non-digital methods as possible, I chose to give the cover a tactile outline of the river, with the book’s title placed only on the spine. This approach emphasized the project’s hands-on nature while keeping the design minimal yet meaningful.
To accomplish this, I spent a lot of time selecting the perfect paper. I wanted it to have texture, a subtle speckle, and a slight blue hue. Coincidentally, Minnesota and Wisconsin are well known for their paper industry, which made this choice feel even more fitting for the project. I then carefully cut out a silhouette of the section of the Mississippi River that I had travelled down and attached it to the cover. This hands-on approach added a tactile element to the design, reinforcing the project's emphasis on non-digital methods.
View More Projects
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![Book cover titled 'America in the King Years' by Taylor Branch, featuring a black background with white and red squares and small black-and-white photos of individuals.]()
Book Cover Design
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![Abstract collage art with text and torn paper layers predominantly in black, white, and red.]()
Poster Design
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![Wall art featuring geometric shapes in blue, orange, and red, framed in light wood, with collage artwork above.]()
Mixed Media
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![Screenshots of a website featuring articles on leadership and personal development, set against a green background.]()
Website Design
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![Stationery set featuring branded pencils, letterhead, envelope, notebook, and business cards, all with matching blue and orange geometric designs and labeled 'appel farm.']()
Appel Farms
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![Person sitting on a hillside overlooking a river and landscape, with text "A Love Letter to the River Road" on the polaroid frame.]()
Senior Thesis
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![Two males wearing boxing gloves and shorts, posing in a black and white photograph.]()
SAMO Art Book
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![A red and white restaurant menu with floral patterns and 'fika menu' text, displayed on a wooden stand against a pink background. The menu lists items under 'small plates' and 'smörgåsar,' featuring dishes like Swedish Meatballs and Gravlax.]()
Fika Cafe
