Case study: Book Cover: ‘Crowded Platforms and Window Seats’
Personalised book cover to tell a family's adventure
Dipping your toes into self-publishing
Background
The client intended to independently publish a book she authored detailing her family's European adventure. The book, designed for practicality, serves as a handy guide for planning an Interrail adventure with teenagers.
The challenge
She tasked me with designing a book cover featuring key points of interest, narrating their journey from London to Budapest. Her preference was for a hand-drawn and personalised design, aiming to establish a direct connection with the audience.
Solutions
The collaboration proved excellent; once the style was determined, we promptly progressed to finalising the artwork for the cover, which included a preliminary mockup. I coordinated with the book designer to ensure seamless integration of the artwork into her overall designs.
Some drafts...
... and the final product
About the book
'Thirty-five years after her first interrail trip around Europe, Judy Yorke found herself back on the tracks again, this time with her husband and teenage sons in tow.
This is an entertaining account of the family’s adventures involving 3,000 train miles, 16 locations and a suitcase with a squeaky wheel.
Judy also takes a nostalgic look back at her first trip and offers advice and tips to help anyone inspired to interrail themselves.'
Judy Yorke is a journalist, editor, copywriter and tutor who has worked for national magazines and newspapers for more than 30 years.
She also runs courses for people who want to improve their writing at work and is on a one-woman mission to stamp out the comma splice.
Judy loves travelling, especially by train. She's never happier than when she's settled in a window seat with a new book on her kindle at the start of a four hour journey.
She lives in Brighton with her husband and two sons.
"Just to let you know the book has just been published - I’ve already been asked who did the cover! Thanks again for your fabulous illustration."
Judy Yorke
Other examples: Book covers & editorial illustrations
Key benefits of a personalised book cover and hand-crafted editorial illustrations
While personalised book illustrations may not be suitable for every genre or audience, they can be a powerful tool for creating a unique and engaging reading experience, particularly in children's books, family stories, and special occasion gifts.
- Reflect on the Story and make a connection between the cover and the content
- Create an emotional connection to help sales
- Author Branding to help build a brand identity
- Help target the book's intended target demographic
- Catch the attention of potential readers
- Help to share on social media platforms, help to generate buzz
- Differentiation in a crowded market
- Reader Engagement