Moving forward it is important to state that I am not talking about things like paperback, case wrap, dust jacket etc. These are the tangible properties of book covers. This blog post is about the actual design on the cover and there are two kinds.
Image Manipulation
The most common type of book cover design, It involves combining images that already exist and making them into a beautiful design.
The Images can be Stock Images on the internet or in some cases a Photo-shoot is organised to make the specific Scenery. Organizing a photo-shoot is usually the more expensive option but it has it own advantage of exclusivity. Using stock images, you may find other books or items with one or more of the images you have used. It is also important to know about the licences of the images or you could be breaking the law by using an image that you are not permitted to.
you can get free images from pixabay.com or Unsplash.com remember to check the licences before you download but most of the images here are free. you can also buy images from shutterstock.com.
Illustrated Designs:
Illustrated designs are usually drawn and painted from scratch by a traditional or digital artist, its not something that can be done by a regular graphic designer.
Its the domain of the digital artist or illustrator. there are however graphic designers that double as illustrators as well. The advantage of Illustrated designs is its versatility. Illustrations can range from extremely realistic to very comical, which can be usefully in communicating ideas or moods that would be difficult using actual photos.
When to Use Image Manipulation or Illustrated designs.
There is not definite law or case that demands the use of one over the other but there are certain loose guidelines (which can be broke if you know what you are looking for) that come to mind.
Some of which are listed below
USING IMAGE MANIPULATIONS
Simple Book: If you are designing a simple book like an Ebook for example, you probably don't need anything too elaborate.
Visual Proof is Required: Some books may require a some for of proof, I'll use cook books as an example, People maybe drawn to an actual beautiful dish on the cover than an bunch of text or a drawing of the meal but hey, who know what kids are into these days.
Tight Budget: this Should have probably been the first on the list, Image manipulation is easier on the wallet especially when using stock Images.
Tight Schedule: Depending on the Illustration, a lot of time is usually required to get it done. If you are running later and new to put it out asap I never advice rushing things but it turns out Image manipulation is the way to go time wise.
USING ILLUSTRATED DESIGNS
Children books: kids 15 and below are in a wonderful stage, they pretty much require and desire a lot of visual stimulation that that includes colors, easier shapes and relatable characters. Illustrations rarely ever go wrong with them and I say "rarely" just for the benefit of a doubt.
Highly Fictional works: If your have created a whole new world in your book, or you have bent certain laws of physics and life as we know it, chances are that it's not a bad idea to communicate your vision visually with your book cover.
You Intend your book to end up been part of a Series with similar Covers:
This is a bit of a loose one but if you intend to write 3 to 4 more books with follow up stories, the Illustrated path might be the way to go. that way you have more control over all the designs. Imagine Manipulation usually fails when there are more restrictions. the chances of getting stock images to match each design perfectly as well as the whole series goes down drastically but if you have the budget to run a photo-shoot for each that's another story.
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