GDS Chapter 10 Flashcards
What is the purpose of cover design?
To attract and communicate.
What is some advice for designing a cover?
“Do not show an image and say what the image is on the same cover.”
In what three ways can type and image be used to convey the design concept?
Possess similar characteristics and voice.
Contrast one another, such as pattern versus solid.
Be neutral, contextualizing the image or type.
Four basic schemes.
All-type, type-driven, image-driven, and image-type synergy.
What is the difference between all-type and type-driven?
All-type depicts only text, sometimes only the title and author’s name; type-driven uses the text as the predominant visual graphic element.
Describe an image-driven composition.
Image as the predominant graphic element.
Describe image-type synergy.
Designing the imagery and type to work cooperatively to communicate meaning.
What happens when type and image are visually integrated?
They become emblematic.
Cover Design Checklist
Know the book’s content and the target audience.
Create visual interest.
Suggest the genre.
Differentiate it from competitive titles.
Design the spine for graphic impact and readability.
Treat the back cover and spine as part of the whole design.
What are six compositional structures?
Positive/negative relationships
Approximate symmetry
Major focal point versus multiple focal points
Corresponding movements
Rhythm, pattern, or color
Corner-to-corner thrust
What is approximate symmetry?
Arranging elements with almost exact correspondence on either side of a vertical axis.
What does approximate symmetry achieve?
Balance and harmony through closely mirrored correspondence of visual weights.
What do corresponding movements create?
Alignment through corresponding arrangements of any or all graphic elements.
How can you create rhythm and visual connections?
An all-over pattern or thoughtfully positioned repeat of color.
What can help you to achieve unity?
Avoiding obvious focal points in favor of recurring smaller graphic elements that create a beat or rhythm.
What does corner-to-corner thrust do?
From opposite corners, transverse the surface by a diagonal pulling-like action.
What does corner-to-corner thrust achieve?
Active spatial tension.
What are three factors to keep in mind when designing new covers for existing books?
Target the appropriate contemporary audience.
Differentiate the cover from the older edition as well as from current competition.
Make the author’s name easy to see and read.
What can help people recognize and identify books as belonging together?
Corresponding graphic elements and compositions.
What is a template?
A compositional structure with designated positions for the graphic elements.
