Illustration Vs. Photoshop in Book Cover Design
If you’re not going to hire an illustrator, avoid looking too “Self-Published” with Photoshop!
Anyone who says Tumblr is dead has clearly never seen the quality content I do daily. As a book cover designer (and overall book cover fan), this particular one yesterday really caught my eye:
Choosing the better design between these two designs is, in my opinion, a no-brainer. The 80s-looking cover (from 1995), the saturated maroon words on a blue/purple background, the hair, the rippling muscles — all painted by hand?
How could you ever choose the 2015, clip-art style, Photoshopped, washed-out-pastel version of this book?
The user on this post claims that the “worst crime capitalism ever committed was eliminating Horny Oil Painter as a viable career option.” While I think that statement is hilarious, they do have a point.
The Cost of Covers
By-hand illustration (even if done on a digital tablet) is expensive. Many artists charge upwards of $250+ for a full cover layout, front-to-back.
As they should! Artists are talented at their craft, and they deserve to be paid for their efforts. But as technology makes it easier for authors to create their…
