• Do some sketches on paper to plan the layout of the book title, image (if any) and author byline. Have an intention before you begin. What words in the title deserve special emphasis? What should stand out?
      • Create a new Photoshop document, setting the width to 350px and the height to 520px. Since your results will be viewed online, work in RGB color mode, not CMYK.
  • Add typography.
      • Let's fill that blank canvas! Start by typing the page title using Photoshop's Type tool.
      • Adjust the space between the lines of type (leading) using the Character panel (Window > Character).
      • Leading is the distance between lines of text. A value equal to or lower than the point size of the type will bring the lines closer, and a higher value will space them apart.
      • To adjust the letter spacing, select the entire line of text and change the tracking value.
      • A high tracking value will space the letters farther apart.
      • Large type often needs to be kerned by hand. The default spacing isn't even. In the example above, there is a big gap between the P and E, and another gap on either sides of the O.
      • Place your cursor in the gap between two letters, and modify the kerning value in the Character panel (highlighted above) to move the characters closer together (negative value) or farther apart (positive value).
      • Go to Window > Paragraph to display the Paragraph panel.
      • Click the icons in the top-left corner of the Paragraph panel to switch the paragraph alignment from left to center, or right.
      • Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and styles. You'll do great. I have:
  • Apply color.
      • With all elements in position, you are ready to apply color. Sample from the swatch palette that you downloaded from Kuler.
      • You don't need to use all of the color swatches in the Kuler palette. Many strong book cover designs use just two colors. The color usage can be very simple, but the simpler the color palette, the more perfect it has to be.
  • Evaluate and refine
      • Run through this final checklist:
    • Concept
      • Is the color scheme expressive of the book?
      • What kind of mood do the colors project?
    • Typography
      • Does the type have enough contrast with the background to read clearly?
      • Does the type feel unified with the overall design and color scheme?
      • What words are emphasized? What words are de-emphasized? Is the visual hierarchy logical?
    • Plasticity
      • Is any single element expanding forward too much?
      • Is any single element dropping back too much?
    • Rhythm and movement
      • Did you alternate colors to create visual rhythm?
      • Where are the dark values in the layout? The light values? Does it feel balanced?

/* Save a PSD file of your finished version in Photoshop so you can edit it later if you need to. Then go to File > Save for Web & Devices and save it as a JPEG with a Quality level of about 80. Name the file with the title of your book, for example greatexpectations.jpg.

  • Lastly, have fun with this project!
jun 13 2011 ∞
jun 23 2011 +