Gummy Bear Color Wheel by bluekitty88makeup1, on Flickr
More often than not, the topic of your book helps determine the color theme. For example, a book on babies or weddings use whites or soft pastels; murder mysteries may include red or black; boating, oceans and space science themes utilize blues, blacks or even green.
Color not only helps the reader identify the theme of your book, but the specific mood. Color also makes it easier for your book to be seen among all the other books on the shelf. While choosing a vastly different color scheme may help draw attention to your book, you may get a negative reaction from your target readers — color not only draws attention, but they evoke an emotion.
The Process
If you are one that has a traditional publisher, you may not have to worry too much about your book cover art; however, for the “Indie”, or self-publishing author, coming up with an effective cover design for both your printed book and digital ebook may seem a daunting process.
If unsure what colors fit your book, check out related books in your genre. Determine if the books utilize a common theme color. Write down if the cover is true to the book theme, or misleading, and why.
ASSIGNMENT
- Check out related books in you genre
- What is the common theme color?
- Did the cover evoke the correct emotion/reaction as the book’s theme?
Recommended Reading
Color Meanings: Symbolism of Color and Colors that Go Together
Unruly Guides “First Steps” eCourses
Unruly Guides will be offering in 2011 eCourses that will help writers with the “First Steps” of eCover Design and Promotion. Keep up with Unruly Guides by subscribing to our News Feed.
eBook Cover Design: eCourses
Unruly Guides eCourse for eBook Cover Design include
The Elements for Effective Cover Design
- Color Themes
- Typography and Fonts
- Image Choice
- Putting it all together: Layout
- Digital versus Print covers
