Beautiful Book Cover Designs
Some of the best book cover designs are works of art, inspiring readers and designers alike. They play an important role in visually communicating the contents of a book and compete with other titles on library and bookstore shelves to catch the eye of potential audiences. Book cover design makes an interesting brief for designers and artists. Many art and design teachers set projects on book cover design to help students practice and refine their visual communication skills.
Beautiful and classic book designs inspire collectors, adorn loungeroom walls and are the subject of exhibtions. Arguably, some of the most celebrated and classic designs come from Penguin Books. A glimpse into Penguin’s history shows a passion for good design that stems from the very beginnings of the company in 1935. Here are a few examples to inspire:
Images from Things Magazine – the Pelican Project
Penguin’s Clothbound Classics
Penguin’s Great Ideas Series
A quick search reveals a number of RedBubble artists who have tried their hand at book cover design, ranging from works inspired by their favourite literature to designs and jackets for their own stories. Below are just a few we’ve spotted. If you’re looking for more inspiration, why not head over to The Book, Comic or Graphic Novel Cover Club or The Art of Books group.
Have you designed a cover for a book? Has a written work on RedBubble inspired you to create an artwork? We’d love to see examples of works inspired by the written word, or your own book cover art in the comments below.
Further Reading and Inspiration:
- The Art of Book Cover Design
- Excellent Book Covers and Paperbacks
- The Birth of a Book Cover
- The Book Cover Archive
Share this:
Share 
Subscribe 
Bookmark 
Got a subject to blog about? "Let us know.":http://support.redbubble.com/faqs/advanced/redb...
Comments
Gosh … This is really new to me.
Thanks for this post very interesting and inspiring….and hey what are you doing up so late!
A few of us are based in the northern hemisphere so it’s still yesterday here ;)
– Redbubble
Haven’t looked at the links yet…haven’t designed a book cover but have been inspired forever by them. this is FABULOUS!!!!! I’m sitting here cheering!!!!
LOVE Penguin’s book covers!!!
My fav (which I have an ancient copy of):
(wow…I hope that’s not too big and that the link works)
Anyway, I’m headed off to see the links and enjoy all this wonderfulness!! THANK YOU!!!!!
awesome.
This is a book jacket I did for a self-publishing author
PS glad to see you put Stephanie Smith’s work up there. Her work is stunning
Just joined the The Book, Comic or Graphic Novel Cover Club!
I had no idea such a thing was here and I’m really excited about it.
Thank you for this super post!!!!!!!
Whoops…inspired by The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks
Fantastic artists and designs!
I’ve designed only my own photobook covers :)
Bluesrose
LOL …. thank goodness it’s no yesterday here, would have to go to work twice!