I never claimed that writing a book was an easy task. I am aware that sometimes it takes months or even years of work. That's why my adventure as a writer has not been long-term. However, this unsuccessful adventure did not require me to distance myself from the books. Books are still in my life, even right in the center.
The design of a book is just as important as its content. The words are out of the author's hands, but the designer determines how they will dance on the page. A poorly designed book is unfair to both the author and the reader. What are the tips for good book design? For sure, I don't have a magic formula, but I can share some golden rules with you:
1) Understanding the content: Design cannot be considered independent of content. The genre and scope of the book give the most significant clues to the design. It is why one should never ignore the author's (and publisher's) views during the procedure.
2) Choosing the appropriate trim size: This is about the book's genre and with which publisher you will work. More extensive trim allows you to design more flexibly, but producing costs will be higher. The genre of the book is also decisive: General fiction books generally have 6" x9" while business books are preferred to be in 5.5" x 8.25" or 5.25" x 8".
3) Cover design: We are in an age where packaging takes precedence over product. Isn't the same thing true for books? Out of the hundreds of books we see on the shelves or online, we only turn to the ones that attract us. What could be more natural than that? If possible, the book cover should be designed first, and the interior layout should be prepared to be in harmony with the cover. The reader looks for compatibility. And it is not unfair.
4) Target audience: Of course, the design of a scientific book written about menopause will be different from the design of a fairy tale book for children. The target audience should be well defined, and the design of the book should act as a bridge between this audience and the content.
5) Use of imagery: The use of imagery adds richness to the design. It is sometimes limited to iconography. Sometimes using full-page stock images will be more compatible with the content. Whether to print the book in grayscale or full color is an essential factor in imagery. Imagery is an important instrument that colors the dull and monotonous typesetting processes.
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