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Book Cover Design

Kentucky authors contact me from time to time for their book cover design projects. I love to read. I also married a librarian. Therefore, we have tons of books in our home. Working closely with authors on these projects is always fun. Authors also sometimes hire me to complete copy editing for their eBooks, as well as printed books.

I create industry standard layout design, while capturing the author’s vision. All of the titles and their content, if applicable, are formatted to their publishers’ digital and print specifications.

Hire me for your unique book cover design

Are you in the process of writing a new book for print or Kindle eReaders? I know you have put in hours of time and effort to write your newest masterpiece. Why then would you skimp when it comes to the dust jacket art? You need to contact me for your book cover design needs.

Christian book cover design for Revelation of JesusDr. Gregory Kasten

Lexington, KY

Dr. Kasten is a Bible scholar focusing on the Book of Revelation. He hired me for his prophecy commentary, since my other book jacket designs impressed him. Specifically, I have created Christian book cover design for a number of other Kentucky authors. I dove headfirst into the role of Bible commentary cover designer.

Christian book cover design story

The author suggested a few stock images to use for the cover. He had a specific vision in mind, but he needed a professional graphic designer to bring it to life. 

I weaved a collage of images together that were both literal and abstract. The Book of Revelation contains many passages that elicit different interpretations. As such, this Christian b00k cover design centers around a bright burst of light. It breaks through what could possibly be a desert scene. Clouds surrounding the burst also vaguely resemble a bearded figure appearing in the sky.

Since the image was so vibrant and fantastic, I decided I should keep the typography simple. I used the popular, yet reliable, sans serif font Myriad Pro. After that decision, I centered the main title “Revelation” over the burst of light. Then, I employed a blending mode in order to give it a spiritual, airy transparency. I set the subtitle “Prophecy from Jesus” in a smaller font size over the “red clay” toward the bottom.

On the back of the book jacket, I juxtaposed a silhouette implied to be Jesus with a passage from the Book of Revelation. Both of these dark images float over a background that mirrors the deep orange and blue “sunset” scheme from the front cover.

Contact me if you need a Christian book cover design

Are you an author who needs a Bible commentary cover designer? Perhaps you are releasing a biography of an important faith figure, or writing a devotional.  Contact me for your Christian book cover design.

Filed Under: Book Cover Design

Book jacket art for Response to Grace - Kentucky Christian book cover designTroy Napier

Georgetown, KY

Troy C. Napier is an author from neighboring Georgetown, Kentucky. He contacted me to design the book jacket art for his first commentary The Response to Grace. Troy chose me because of my success working with other Christian authors. My reputation as a Christian book cover design artist was growing.

Troy, happily displaying the finished product.Book Jacket Art For Kentucky Author

Since Troy did not have a specific vision in for this project, I worked with him to come up with the right book jacket art concept. First, he provided me with samples of some book layouts that he liked, in order to outline their positive aspects. I then pitched a few concepts based on different passages of scriptures in the Bible. For example, I proposed centering the art around a close up photo of an ear (Matthew 11:15). Also, I thought of a runner lacing up his shoes and crouching at the starting line (Hebrews 12:1). Finally, we agreed on the concept of a fisherman. This idea was based on Jesus calling his first disciples in Matthew 4.

I first incorporated a royalty free stock image of a fisherman casting his net out on the water for the focal point of the book jacket art. I softened the edges of the photo and blended it into the grunge texture background. Afterward, I set the cover text in a classic serif font, mixing weights of that same font for variety.

The back cover features a picture of a net. Hundreds of fish fill the net to the brim. The book’s title text is reversed out of it. A compass image adorns the bottom of the book below the author’s photo and bio. The book is available as a paperback, as well as in Kindle format on Amazon.

Contact me today for your Christian book cover design

Are you an author seeking a graphic designer for your next book? I specialize in making faith based themes come to life. Contact me today.

Filed Under: Book Cover Design

"Lessons on Gifts and Giving" Book Cover ArtGeorge Thompson

Greenville, KY

I loved working on this book cover art, another in a series of Christian book cover design. I created it for Western Kentucky pastor and author George E. Thompson. George is one of the first humans I remember knowing. My parents often took me to his home as a youth, and I attended preschool with his daughter in my small Kentucky hometown. Being his book cover designer really brought our relationship full circle.

Lessons on Gifts and Giving compiles a series of brief thoughts about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament books of the Holy Bible describe these gifts in great detail. At the time George commissioned me, I was not doing as much print work as I would have liked. Plus, my family are voracious readers, enjoying a variety of topics. Because of these particular reasons, it was truly a privilege for me to create this religious guide’s artwork.

Book cover art – front cover fonts and colors

George gave me a lot of creative freedom for this project. I took a few steps back to ponder how I could properly depict such awe inspiring subject matter. First, I used one of my favorite color combinations, which is blue, orange, and yellow. The bright colors set against the dark background creates a stark contrast. This specific contrast brings the weight and power to the design, which the book’s theme called for.

Also, I jumped at the chance to use one of the many ribbon style fonts that were trendy at the time. This was an appropriate setting, considering that the focal images centered around gift packages. I also made use of the equally trendy Museo Slab font. It spells out the rest of the text content featured in the book’s layout. I set the main titles on the cover over parallel orange ribbon shapes, which rise upward at an angle. This effect makes the ribbons stand out even more. They have a positive, uplifting feel of forward motion.

Focal image and filter effects for Christian book cover design

Completing the front design, a dark and mysterious figure appears in the cover’s background. This mystery man represents the Holy Spirit. The Bible characterizes the Spirit as a comforter, as well as a guide to believers in Christ. The image of Him holding the glowing golden gift package really sums up the main idea of this book’s topic.

I began by selecting the perfect royalty free stock photo for the focal image. In its initial form, it depicted a businessman who is holding a shiny gold gift package. By using the Adobe Photoshop app, I then desaturated it. I followed up by cut the package out from the photo. Next, I separated it into its own layer, situated in the cover’s foreground. I recolored and darkened the background figure blue. After that, I faded him into the black background in order to cement its intriguing appeal.

Graphic design effects and filters for book cover art

Wrapping up the design for this tome’s front cover, I should discuss the effects used in the focal image. Let me clarify that I do not typically make use of very many Photoshop filters in my work. It is easy to overdo effects. Sometimes graphic artists make the mistake of throwing them in haphazardly. Because of this, their work can suffer. This is easy to do, even for seasoned pros. However, I felt that the halftone and glow effects were the appropriate finishing touches. They completed the design in order to convey the spiritual theme of this book.

The ethereal Photoshop filters come together in order to make the glowing golden package pop out. I drove home the spiritual theme on the book’s cover, while still retaining a clean and modern feel.

Book cover art – back cover design story

The quaint wrapped gift boxes on the back cover also reflect the book’s warm and inviting feel. Humble plaid and butcher paper patterns cover the presents. Each of them is wrapped with a tasteful blue ribbon. I faded them into the pale yellow solid background so they would not compete with the text.

The synopsis, as well as the paragraph describing the author’s credentials, are also featured on the back cover. These passages invite both believers and nonbelievers alike to learn about God’s many great gifts to us.

In conclusion, this Christian book cover design was a great opportunity to use my gifts. Specifically, I am referring to creating the perfect graphic design solutions for my clients. I am happy any chance that I get to both honor God with that gift and help a friend with their own passion project at the same time.

Head over to Amazon and pick up your paperback copy of “Lessons on Gifts and Giving”.

Need a book cover designer? Let me design your book cover art

You have finished the long and arduous process of writing the perfect manuscript. After that, you went through the steps of painstakingly editing that content. Finally, your literary labor of love has been completed. Every chapter and every page is now finished. Hold up, you can’t take your book to press just yet! Now you need the right cover design, and it needs to be done precisely to spec by a professional book cover designer. You have completed the hard part, so why not let me make your book cover art easy? I possess the education and experience, as well as the eye for detail to get the job done.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and contact me today.

Filed Under: Book Cover Design

"Lessons on Strengthening the Church" book cover graphic designGeorge Thompson

Greenville, KY

Here is another book cover graphic design for my old friend George. The author has also been a pastor here in Kentucky for many years. This is a short guide he wrote for growing and strengthening church congregations. As such, I chose to go the literal route with this cover design. Come along with me to the next stop in my journey as a Christian book cover artist.

Christian book cover artist – graphic design story

George liked my idea of juxtaposing a weightlifter along with a shining stained glass window overhead. I simplified the stock photo of the athlete lifting weights to a sepia tone. This makes it a subtle image without completely losing it in the black background, since the stained glass window and the title itself are the main elements. I faded the image of the bench press behind the description on the back of the jacket so the text in front of it is legible.

The title on the front cover has a red grunge frame similar to a rubber stamp. I used the LHF Pilsner Script for the words “Lessons On” for a weighty, vintage feel. “Strengthening the Church” is fittingly set in a strong serif block font. The red and white title pop on the stark black background.

His publisher has very exact standards for formatting. Since that is not his forte, the author requested my help. George entrusted me with the finished format of his original manuscript. I also arranged its indexes to the publisher’s specifications. Buy the book in paperback on Amazon. See also my design for George’s “Lessons on the Lord’s Prayer” cover design.

Hire me for your own book cover graphic design

I truly enjoyed working on this art since physical fitness and spiritual fitness are important to me. I also enjoy visualizing concepts that I am not as familiar with. In some cases you actually can judge a book by its cover! No matter what your subject matter, I can help you make your work look its best for potential readers. Contact me today.  

Filed Under: Book Cover Design