Contemporary Book Covers Focal image: protagonist centred (GIRLS) Full bleed scenic illustration Author’s name at the bottom Tight colour schemes/palettes
Classic Book Covers Limited colours Ornate patterns/deco
Book Binding Cloth-bound spine Vibrant colour, striking against cover Full-coloured hardcover attached to cloth spine, no dust jacket
Borders Ornate borders/frames
Foliage/woodland Adventures – fantastical forests
Typography White on dark/coloured backgrounds Sans serif Handwritten/playful
Text Placement Interaction with image/page Uses negative space Size varies for impact/emphasis
Scenery Foreground-midgroundbackground Depth Atmosphere (dark-moody) Dark/light (moon/sun) Protagonist – relationship with world/location (lost/exploring/running away)