In order to create my own book cover or film poster, I must first research the elements of a successful product. I have analysed two examples, one book and one film, looking at aspects such as layout, fonts, images, colour palettes, and where the designer has led our eyes. These elements all come together to tell us key themes about the book or film, and help us determine whether we want to invest our time and attention into it. You can't judge a book by its cover - but we all do it anyway.
This is not the original book cover for Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, however, it is the most widely recognised. This is a historical fiction novel set in Nazi Germany, hinted at by the background colours of brown and yellow, resembling old, faded parchment. Together with the title in handwritten script, this parchment-like background links with the title of the novel, suggesting that this may be an old, tatty book that somebody has "found".
While the author's now recognisable name is in block capitals, the other fonts used are simple serif fonts, thin and subtle so as not to detract from the image - the first element of the cover to draw the audience's eye. The illustration is small with plenty of negative space around it; this simplicity allows us to focus on the way Death has been portrayed in a fascinating light. Why does he look so happy? Who is the girl, and why is she dancing with Death? Why do their steps mirror each other?
From this book cover, we can infer that the dancing girl is perhaps the thief, and that she will face great difficulties through the course of the story. Perhaps she learns to greet Death as an old friend. The audience is drawn in, intrigued by this strange relationship, and eager to learn more.
The film poster for The Dark Knight is also very well-known. This is a superhero action/adventure movie. Although the main character is Batman, this poster features the antagonist - The Joker. He fills up most of the frame, although he is standing behind a fogged window. It is not him that we are drawn to first, however, but the finger-painted text at the top. "Why so serious?" has been daubed on the window in blood, followed by a wide, bloody smile in front of The Joker's face. This phrase is iconic, and audiences will know immediately what this film is.
The red of the blood contrasts with the overall blue hue of the rest of the image. The Joker's clothing is a cold black, his face a frosty white, and the misty cityscape of Gotham behind him a cool grey. This cold palette and soft, foggy lines bring a sense of mystery and danger.
In the lower quarter of the poster is all of the information - The DC and Warner Brothers logos, the website, and the movie release date. It also includes the title of the film, in a bold, sans-serif font, written in block capitals. Behind that is the Batman logo, telling the audience that this is primarily a Batman film, not a Joker film. We know that this film will feature both iconic characters, even though they haven't been mentioned by name. These portions of text and logos are small so as not to draw attention away from The Joker and his message - a key element used to promote the film.
I will create a book cover for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Informed by my research below, I would like to include use a key symbol to represent the story without giving away the whole plot. I intend for my design to appeal to teenagers, and to attract a modern audience to this classic novel. To do this, I will select my images carefully to create a mysterious atmosphere, using darkness and mist to cloud over some parts of the cover. Similarly, I will highlight the theme of royalty and subtly suggest the genre of fantasy by using colours or symbols associated with power.
Many of the book covers leave out the series title of "The Chronicles of Narnia", instead including the title of the book itself and the author's name. Many people consider the two titles synonymous, as this book is the most famous in the series. In order to reduce the amount of text on the cover and allow the audience to focus on the images, I will also leave out the series title.
Most fonts are simple, with the majority of the audience's attention directed towards the images. The film posters heavily feature Aslan, possibly to showcase the realistic CGI used to create the lion. The book covers, however, use a range of key characters or symbols from the novel. Some, like the wardrobe in a forest, are instantly recognisable as a Narnia book. Others, like Edmund's silhouette, are more abstract and don't give away too much of the story.
I will use some of the following elements in my book cover design:
Royalty
Red and gold, lion, crown
Mystery
Darkness, forest, mist, ambiguous images
Key symbols
Lion, witch, wardrobe, lamp post, snowy forest, winter vs spring, four children, mythical creatures (fawns, centaurs etc.)
I have chosen several book covers to analyse - some old, some more modern, some which clearly depict the story, and some that are a little more abstract.
Old book cover
Main image is of two girls dancing with a lion.
Main colour is green, reflecting Aslan bringing spring to Narnia.
Powerful lion symbolises royalty, whereas the flowers and dancing girls suggest he has a gentle side, making us question his nature.
Text is a simple serif font, centrally aligned and at the top and bottom. Book title and author at the top, series title at the bottom on a blue banner. Simple black and white so as not to detract from the image.
Simple graphics in single, bold colours.
A lion, a witch, and a wardrobe.
First drawn to witch's hat as it's in orange.
Background is black, with a grey border and two grey images. Simple and minimalist.
Text is in the top quarter, aligned right. Serif font that is small and simple, title in block capitals.
Simple, bold graphics help us immediately identify the book.
Appeals to a more modern audience.
Graphics, indicating a fantasy theme. White trees framing the page, and a blue silhouette of pine trees in the background, suggesting a forest.
Snow on the floor and falling in the background.
Lamp post in the centre of the frame, the flame draws our eye in. A key symbol in the book, but doesn't give away any of the story. The warmth of the flame welcomes us into the forest and contrasts with the snow, hints at Aslan welcoming in spring.
Text is in a stylised serif font, white contrasts with the blue background. Author's name is curved above the lamp post head, and book title is across the lower half of the page.
Focus on Edmund - a pivotal character.
White silhouette against a black background, with outlines of him in front and behind the main image. Highlights the two sides of the war Edmund finds himself torn between.
First drawn to "Turkish delight" which repeats in his head, whereas "The Just" is in his heart. Indicates struggle overcoming selfishness, but that his true loyalty lies with Aslan.
Contrast between black background and off-white images and text suggest good vs evil.
Text is sans serif and bold, "the lion" and "witch" in the largest font - the leaders of each side.
Simplistic design and font attracts a modern audience.
Possibly hand-drawn image of a wardrobe in a forest, whereas in the story it is a forest in a wardrobe. Wardrobe fills most of the frame.
Key colours are brown and earthy greys, a hint of red/orange in the robin.
Text in very centre, on the wardrobe drawers. White stands out against the brown. Block capitals, but hand-written.
Drawn to the text on the wardrobe, and question why there is a wardrobe in the forest.
Rough texture and handmade elements give a rustic, fantasy feel.
While I would like to make a book cover, I have found it useful to look at some posters from the most recent, highly successful film adaptation of this story. These have helped me formulate some ideas.
First drawn to top half - lion's face, then bottom third - white witch and her polar bears.
Outside, framing the poster - images of the main characters fighting and exploring, the witch's castle and some enemies.
Minor text at the top and bottom in whites and greys so it doesn't distract us from the images.
Text in the middle, with "Narnia" in a bold, stylised serif font. The rest of the text is small. "Narnia" is in red and gold - colours of royalty.
Theme of royalty continues with lion and warm golds across the top-left to centre.
Opposing theme of cold and evil spreads from bottom-right to centre with white and blue tones.
War between good and evil, hot and cold.
Most characters are looking at "Narnia" except for Aslan, who is looking directly at us.
Initially drawn to roaring lion standing centrally in front of a sunrise.
Aslan roaring indicates great power.
Stylised serif font for "Narnia" at the bottom, in red and gold, indicating royalty.
Quote from the film on the top in white to contrast.
All warm tones - golds, reds, browns, oranges, yellows. Warmth and royalty.
Sunrise symbolises dawn of a new era. Aslan is coming to break through the cold and bring in the spring.
Initial Sketches
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