#by designer

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2018: Day Fourteen

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

The Girl and the Guardians

An Experimental novel being written this November by NaNo participant Annette Oakley in the United States.

Ellie Sigurd's always been intrigued by her Icelandic heritage. She's read books, took basic Icelandic in university, and scoured the web for photos, but she's never been allowed to visit. Every time she's tried, her family has shut her down, refusing to tell her anything about her history--not even her grandfather's name. They're scared and superstitious, and she doesn't know why. After graduating from university, Ellie rebels, taking a solo trip to Iceland to pursue answers to the life-long questions she's had about her heritage. It's there she meets Katla Rosenburg, a wild, adventure-loving native with dreams of taking a "road trip to end all road trips" around the country. She talks Ellie into letting her tag along as a local guide, and it's fabulous and fun ... until things start to go wrong. Ellie discovers her grandfather was murdered, despite what authorities had claimed for years. Locals talk about a family curse--an ancient bargain with the land spirits they claim she must fulfill. Katla starts to grow distant and warns Ellie to never stray from the main road. And then there's the wooden doll of an old woman following her wherever she goes, begging her to pick it up... Begging to show her that sometimes, the folklore women tell their children to keep them in bed at night? It's all real ... and coming for her.

Cover designer Richard Ljoenes shared an alternate cover version and some notes about the design process:

“The photograph is by Russian photographer Andre Ermolaev. It depicts a Volcanic river in Iceland. I thought the beauty and forcefulness of it was a perfect way to capture not only the dramatic Icelandic scenery throughout the book, but also old Icelandic folklore and the violent family curse—the ancient bargain with the land spirits. I hand-lettered the type to be somewhat fitting of young person and their journal entries during the main event—the road-trip through this raw and rugged land. Outtakes included designs using photos of Icelandic mountain roads against the backdrop of Aurora Borealis, which also suggested some of the spiritual/supernatural qualities of the story, but ultimately felt a bit too familiar.”

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!

If you’re interested in entering your novel to the 30 Covers, 30 Days program, check out the instructions here. Don’t forget, November 15 is the last day to submit.

Cover Designed by Richard Ljoenes

Richard Ljoenes is a Designer and Art Director based in New York City. He primarily works on book covers and illustrated interiors, but his background also includes advertising and corporate identity. Ljoenes’s design and art direction has been awarded and recognized by The One Show, Type Directors Club, Communication Arts, The Cannes Lions Awards, Art Directors Club, Graphis, Print Magazine, How Magazine, and Graphic Design USA who named him a designer to watch in 2018. He has worked on over fifty New York Times Bestsellers. Ljoenes currently runs his own studio and is available for projects.

You can find Richard online at www.richardljoenes.com and on Instagram @richardljoenes. 

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2018: Day One

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Enemy Music

A Historical novel being written this November by NaNo participant J. Ducusin Hay in Canada.

Two siblings, one driven by anger and the other driven by his passions, find themselves on opposite sides of the same war. While rival jazz musicians meet racism and fascism in their pursuit of success and artistic freedom in 1930s Osaka and struggle to survive the battlefields of Okinawa, a girl seeking revenge joins the guerrillas against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. 

Cover designer John Hamilton had this to share about the design process:

I usually start with a list of words that will be springboards. For this title, "Enemy Music," those words were jazz, 1930s, Japan, Filipino, conflict, culture, invasion, anger, peacetime, resolve, modern art, the Jazz Age, influence, and some others. Some of the design elements could be contrast between music, art, and war; contrast of cultures; symbols for Japan; symbols for the Philippines; 1930s Japanese photography or art. I also found out that jazz music was introduced to Japan in the 1920s, and as a result jazz clubs started popping up.

John shared several alternate cover versions:

Stay tuned for more covers every day of the month!

Cover Designed by John Hamilton

John Hamilton Design is a Fort Collins, Colorado graphic design studio specializing in book cover design with clients nationwide. John began his publishing career more than twenty years ago as the Art Director of Wycliffe Associates in Orange County, California. Prior to working with Wycliffe, John honed his skills with Ampersand in Pasadena, then led the design direction of Virtue magazine for three years. He has worked with many publishers since going out on his own in 2006, and his work has been featured several times in Communication Arts.

You can follow John on Twitter @johnhamiltondzn.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days: Day 8

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Red Riding, P.I.

A Mystery novel being written this November by NaNo participant J. Monsen in the United States.

Life is never dull for a private detective in the city; not when a vampire staked in the back, a fairy kidnapping, and a mysterious glass shoe all add up to just another Monday. But lately, Red Riding has found the gumshoe business a little harder than usual; like someone's painted a target onto the back of her trench coat. Maybe it's the organized crime racket that's been hot on her heels, or the politicians cracking down on innocent Spooks. Maybe it's the handsome professor with a bad attitude and suspiciously good aim. Or maybe it's Red's own secrets finally catching up to her, like the transformation every full moon that she can't escape. Or maybe it's just bad luck and a big mouth. One thing's for sure, if Red wants to survive solving mysteries in the Big Bad City, she's got her work cut out for her.

Cover designer Kevin Perry shared what Red Riding, P.I. would look like as a physical book:

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!

If you’re interested in entering your novel to the 30 Covers, 30 Days program, check out the instructions here.

Cover Designed by Kevin Perry

Kevin Perry is a designer, educator and organizational leader with over 15 years of agency experience. He currently oversees talent and operations at Struck, an internationally acclaimed creative agency whose clients include Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, McDonald’s and Jack in the Box. Kevin draws from a unique blend of design philosophy and business strategy to significantly impact organizational behaviors and cultures. As a leader, Kevin helps companies be more purposeful and effective through a people-centric approach. As an orchestrator, he seeks to create an environment where everyone can thrive. He brings fresh insight to every engagement where success is measured in terms of values, not merely profit and loss. Kevin speaks around the country and teaches at the University of Utah. His work has been recognized by some of the industry’s most respected organizations and publications including AIGA and Print Magazine. In 2014 he was selected by Graphic Design USA as one of the “People to Watch”. Kevin is the cofounder of Salt Lake Design Week and the ReVinylize project and has held a number of roles with AIGA, the professional association for design, where he most recently served on the national board of directors. 

You can follow Kevin online @kevinperry.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days: Day Ten

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Sunsets and Tea

A Women’s Fiction novel being written this November by NaNo participant Wardah Abbas Abdul-Haafiz in Nigeria.

Sunsets and Tea is a breathtaking story of four intimate city women set in modern day Nigeria. Brought together by childhood similarities, Aqilah, Amaya, Malika and Hodan are inseparable even where personal lives, struggle for survival, raising families and finding happiness are intricately woven into their individual pasts playing out around them. It is a heart rending novel of unforgivable pasts, bitter - sweet friendship and love that stands the test of fire - a remarkable achievement.

Cover designer Cookie Redding shared a photo of the cover design process, with a guest appearance from an assistant:

You can watch a video of Cookie’s design process on her Youtube channel.

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!

If you’re interested in entering your novel to the 30 Covers, 30 Days program, check out the instructions here.

Cover Designed by Cookie Redding

Cookie Redding is an artist and designer living in south central Pennsylvania.  She works with a variety of materials and likes to incorporate them all into her work.  She currently is also a professor of art and design and loves when students have their "ah-ha!" moment with their work.

You can find Cookie online @likesilovestudio and youtube.com/wordienerd.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2018: Day Six

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

No Results Found

An LGBT+ novel being written this November by YWP participant Catwings Bubbles in the United States.

The Soulmate Test is a long and rigorous process that takes years to finish, but no one has every been matched with someone other than their true love. Emilie is ready to take the first test that matches her with thousands of people before whittling the options down to one. But out of every single available person in the registry, Emilie can't be matched with any of them.

It must be a mistake. Right?

If you’re interested in entering your novel to the 30 Covers, 30 Days program, check out the instructions here.

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!\

Cover Designed by Kelly Knaga

Kelly Knaga is a Chicago based artist and designer. She loves shapes, colors, and making things.

You can find Kelly online at kellyknaga.com or on Twitter and Instagram @kellyknaga.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2018: Day Two

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

The Ghosts of Miller Manor

A Mystery novel being written this November by NaNo participant V.M. Isleifs in Iceland.

It was never a secret that Willow Anders could see ghosts. She never expected to spend her life hunting them, but with a knack for taking down vengeful spirits and an older brother with the means to fund her unusual hobby, it just sort of happened. When her brother buys an ancient manor in the Scottish countryside, he enlists Willow to rid it of the things that haunt it. She doesn't think much of it, but the haunting of Miller Manor turns out to be far more than she bargained for. Three ghosts roam the halls of the Manor, all of them murdered, and all of the dealing with it in their own way. One is set on discovering who killed them. Another searches for a way to regain life. And the third wants nothing but the blood of those who dare disturb their peace. But the ghosts of the Manor aren't the only ones with death on their mind. Whatever killed them is still around, and it won't let Willow discover what really happened at Miller Manor, no matter the cost.

Designer Katie Manos shared some examples of what The Ghosts of Miller Manor would look like as a physical book:

If you’re interested in entering your novel to the 30 Covers, 30 Days program, check out the instructions here.

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!

Cover Designed by Katie Manos

Katie Manos is a graphic designer born in, living in and focusing on Los Angeles. Collecting and capturing the accelerated change her city is experiencing through existing systems such as Google Street View, Katie finds ways to distribute these digital observations using available printing methods. Katie sees the role of the designer as one of both authorship and intention, and strives to create a practice that incorporates social responsibility into the work she does. Find her at katemanos.com and rapidnostalgia.com.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days: Day Nineteen

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2018 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Nursing Holmes

A Mystery novel being written this November by NaNo participant Mira Price in Canada.

Phyllis and Virginia are enemies, and it's been like that for three decades. The oldest residents of the "Sunny Holm" retirement home, the two are bickering when they are not giving each other the silent treatment. The things are heating up for the New Year's knitting competition, and each knows that her work is superior. When their favorite nurse is killed by a knitting needle that doesn't belong to either of them, Phyllis and Virginia must strike a piece and join forces to find the killer.

Cover designer Eva Crawford shared these notes and sketches from the design process:

“I’m definitely a pen and paper person when it comes to rustling up ideas. Not only do I illustrate more quickly on paper it also seems to expedite the thought process. I’m a lot less precious about tossing out an ink thumbnail. To drum up initial ideas I often also start with lists and word maps as seen here.

For “Nursing Holmes” I thought there might be a particular knitting pattern name could serve as a visual metaphor. I learned quickly that patterns have great names and there was a perfect one. The “broken rib stitch” but illustrating it to look distinctly different than any other knitting stitch proved unsuccessful at this size. Abandoning that idea I tested a strict noir thumbnail with the dramatic fist holding a knitting needle with the unsuspecting silhouette in the background. 

But that felt a bit on the nose so onwards. Early on after drawing the thumbnail of the knitting needle the visual of a femur bone popped in my head so I revised that concept in the thumbnails of the femur bone knitting needles. The visual was powerful and I chose to go straight to the sketchbook. 

I illustrated it with white ink on black paper which really produced the drama I was searching for. Typography on the title treatment in Bellucia (a beautiful Opentype achievement!) was chosen for it’s ornate calligraphic strokes because it echoes the beautiful handwriting of many in an older generation. And of course it echoes the drape of loose yarn. Mira’s name is set in widely tracked PT Sans, adding one more note of refined drama.”

Stay tuned for new covers every day of the month!

Cover designed by Eva Crawford

Design is more than aesthetic it’s problem solving. I’ve also learned the greatest solutions lie somewhere in the spaces between disciplines. Eva has over 15 years of experience working with several well known design agencies, artists, entrepreneurs, non-profits and more. When not knee deep in a branding or design work she pursues film photography, trading pixels for silver like all wishful luddites. She may also be anthropomorphizing produce on her Instagram @grooveva. During all aforementioned pursuits she is a proud resident of Los Angeles. Check out her website at theaxisofeva.com or on Facebook at TheAxisofEva.