Everyone talks about how to create a book cover for a prose novel, but what about poetry? We love beautiful lyrics, so today we want to tell you how to get a perfect poetry book cover design. Off we go.
How to create a poetry book cover design?
You should use a different approach when creating a book cover for poetry than for a prose work. A novel usually covers one central theme, the same characters, and interrelated events. But a poetry book is often a collection of various ideas, feelings, themes, and lyrical heroes. All these elements may not be related to each other.
That is why a poetry book cover differs from a novel one because it should reflect the entire vivid kaleidoscope.
But don’t worry! We have some tips on how to create a poetry book cover design. First, answer the following questions.
1. What is your poetry book mood?
When people buy books, they choose something that fits their mood. The readers want to be in love, scared, moved, intrigued, whatever. However, they definitely do not want to get bored.
Determine what mood your book exudes. It will allow you to choose elements to show this, including color scheme and typography.
Do you know that according to color psychology, a particular color can set a desired mood? Yellow is about joy, red stands for passion, and black is associated with fear. Therefore, if you write poems about love, pay attention to pink shades.
However, not only the color speaks about the mood, but also the typography. Fonts also evoke emotions. The well-known Comic Sans speaks of playfulness and informality, while Onamura hints at adventure and traveling. Knowing the mood of your poetry book, you can find the perfect typography solution.
2. What is your poetry book theme?
Each literary work has a central theme, for example, love, death, and good vs. evil. Maybe all your poems are about friendships, loneliness, self-belief, etc. Then it makes sense to hint at it on the cover.
The book’s main topic will tell you which images to use as people associate particular objects with certain events. For example, below is a collection of poems dedicated to Christmas. Of course, this cover could not do without Christmas trees, Santa’s sleighs, and reindeer.
Poetry book cover design by Getcovers
By the way, the central theme, as well as the mood, helps to choose the color scheme.
3. Are your poems connected or independent?
If your poems revolve around a single lyrical hero or theme, the poetry book cover can include an image of the hero or symbolic object in the center.
Do your poems talk about different things? This is also important to highlight when designing a book cover. In this case, stop at an abstract image or minimalism or make your photo the center of the composition.
What are the types of poetry book cover design?
Let’s look at the most popular poetry book cover design types with examples. Perhaps one of them will guide you where to go.
Minimalist poetry book covers
A minimalist book cover is a great option if your poems are about different themes, ideas, and characters. It can be a monocolored image or a cover with only a couple of hues. Add creative elements, for example, strokes of paint or a symbolic picture, to highlight the depth of the book.
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Poetry book cover design by Getcovers |
Abstract poetry book covers
Such poetry book covers are expressive, vivid, and eye-catching. They literally scream about a range of intense emotions the book communicates. Depict a splash of paint, shapes, or lines that flow chaotically into one another.
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Typography-based poetry book covers
It’s a versatile option for all themes, unified cycles, or independent pieces of lyrics. However, you must choose colors and fonts attentively because these elements affect your book’s mood and emotions. You can also select a textured colored background instead of a plain one.
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Character-based poetry book covers
We mean a lyrical hero as he or she is directly or indirectly present in all poems. Show readers how you imagine the narrator. This method will help build an emotional connection between the audience and the text.
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Floral poetry book covers
Plants, flowers, green stems, and fragile petals have always been attributes of art and beauty. It is not surprising that we often see floral motifs on poetry book covers today. You can weave flowers into the title, compliment the lyrical hero, or add a frame.
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Poetry book cover design by Getcovers |
Author’s image poetry book covers
Poems often reflect personal emotions and experiences, so using your image as the basis for a book cover is natural. It can be a real photograph or an extraordinary drawing.
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Conclusion
Have you got a dose of inspiration for your poetry book cover design? We hope so. To find the direction to move in, remember the following:
- Decide what mood and emotions your poetry expresses
- Determine the central theme
- Pay attention to whether a book contains a unified cycle or independent poems.
Have you ever published a poetry book? Tell us about the book cover design process in the comments.
