For this research task I found a range of book covers on Amzon.co.uk and chose a mix of genres and age ranges.
This cover has the illustration in center, with the colours of the text used also in the illustration to tie them together. The title grabs attention with the light space around it and the red letters make a statement. Your eye then travels down to the illustration where you see the boys heads dipped in shame and sadness. The title is then elaborated on the the tag line under the illustration.
Written and illustrated for children, the Little Miss and Mr Men books all have simple white backgrounds, black text and colourful illustrations underneath. The titles are in large black lettering to help readers to know which character in the series the book is about. The author/illustrators name underneath in smaller handwriting feels very down to earth and friendly. The back covers show all the characters so you can see which ones to read next.
This cover is a great example of the text and image working together to pull your attention in a downwards motion to match the theme of the book. The sky and sunset is also part of the lettering with a black background the really emphasise the text. It is a dramatic cover, that grabs your attention, assuming an exciting and dramatic storyline, to entice the reader.
This cover uses the title to entwine with the illustration. At first your eye is drawn to the center of the illustration but the white title also grabs attention and as the letters get smaller your eye falls back to the illustration. It makes you feel like you are being swept into the adventure.
This cover is a clever use of explaining the plot within the cut out of the country it takes places in. The window in the background draws your eye in further. The text is almost a last thought as your eye is drawn into the illustration deeper with the different layers. The use of red helps to keep the importance of the title, making it still stand out against the bold illustration.
This cover draws you in with the title in the centre and the illustrations around it in a contrasting black. Important moments in history are the central focus as the black illustrations communicate seriousness. The background is like old paper, with dappled browns to look aged. It is an attention grabbing cover but in a totally different way to the others above.
This cover is more complex, I had to really look at all the little details. The first thing that grabs your eye are the lungs filled with flowers. They look like branches. I then notice the title but am still not clear what the book is about. As I look closer I see the two figures in the background separated by the letter of the title. The illustrator has used the colours in the illustration in the text also to tie it all together. It is a clever use of imagery, it is eye catching but isn't immediately clear what you are seeing at first.
This is a fun cover, under the sea with the title as part of the illustration and in a font that looks like it belongs in the sea. There is a sweeping motion of the sea life in both directions to carry your eye around the image. This works really well as both eye catching and explaining right away what the book is about.
Bold fonts, colours and a cartoon style look makes this book cover eye catching and tells you exactly what it is with first glance. Aimed at 6 year olds, it is immediately obvious what you are getting, which is important for children's books.
This is an adorable, interactive book cover. A simple background scene with fluffy parts for the clouds and pigs face. The face grabs your attention right away and I'm sure children and adults will want to immediately touch it. Your eye then goes to the title at the top. This is a really successful cover where the illustration/ textures dominate but the playfulness of the font for the title works together without being overpowering.
Lastly, this bright and colourful cover is very eye catching. I first notice the bold title but then go to the illustration below. This feels like the title and illustration belong together. The name of the orange panda is the same colour as the character and is linked as a panda by the panda's colour matching the rest of the title. With the foliage wrapping around the sides of the characters and the sun behind them you feel like you're seeing into the scene like you belong with them. This is a really playful cover and perfect for children.
It's interesting to look more closely at the different styles of covers and see how placement really matters when it comes to the title, author and illustration. Colour also plays a big role as does the font. I used to think that the titles were just added text to the illustration on book covers but this research task has helped me to understand how important it is that they are included creatively with the illustration and not just an after thought.
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