Book Cover Designer & Illustrator
Kati is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer based in UK. Kati combines beautiful illustration with carefully considered typography to create thoughtful book covers that aim to trigger an emotional response.
What makes a great book cover?
We all know the impact a book cover has when browsing in a bookshop. If you’re looking to hire a book jacket designer, it’s essential to find someone who understands what’s at stake and aligns with your vision. Here’s my view on what a book cover should achieve.
A great book cover is eye-catching, designed to capture attention in a busy bookshop. Clear typography is equally important to represent the author and convey the title effectively. Additionally, a cover should capture the book’s tone, subtly expressing it through textures and colours. Book covers can be either simple or detailed, as long as the overall ‘thumbnail’ view conveys the essence of the book. Often, the best covers focus on a single, compelling idea while revealing more depth and meaning upon closer inspection.
Book cover illustration
As you may be aware, illustrators work in their own unique styles. My illustration style has been described as delicate, witty and insightful, which I wilfully adapt to meet different needs. The style of an illustration plays an important role in creating that emotional connection in a busy bookstore.
Book covers and posters are actually quite similar in what they’re meant to achieve. Both serve as visual invitations, aiming to grab attention and evoke curiosity. Like book covers, posters need to capture the essence of their subject at a glance and convey key information quickly, often through a combination of striking visuals, clear typography, and mood-setting colours. For this reason I included some posters in the following examples to give the widest possible understanding of how my illustrations can translate into cover designs .
My process in a nutshell
Research
Gathering relevant information about the project. This could include reading around the subject to have a deeper understanding of the bigger picture, creating mind-maps, coming up with ideas and identifying themes. This stage is usually preceded by a meeting where I can listen to the key messages and discuss them with you.
Rough sketches
Based on the research, I create a series of rough sketches. The roughs are always pencil drawings and the main aim of this phase is to agree on the ideas and if applicable, the composition.
Creating the illustrations
Once the rough sketches are approved, I begin to create the final design. Depending on the feedback, the line drawings are sometimes shared before applying colour and textures but usually this is not necessary.
Finishing touches
After another round of feedback, I apply the finishing touches to the illustrations and share them for approval.
FAQs
What types of book cover designs do you offer?
I work with a wide range of clients across genres, including fiction, non-fiction, academic titles, and children’s books. Whether you need a cover for a hardback, paperback, or e-book, I can tailor the design to suit your specific needs. If your project type isn’t listed, please feel free to get in touch to see how I might be able to assist you.
How do you ensure the book cover reflects my book’s identity?
I start each project with a consultation, typically held online, which allows us to discuss your book’s themes, target audience, and stylistic preferences. This helps me gain a thorough understanding of your vision. Throughout the process, I collaborate closely with you to ensure that the cover design aligns with your story’s tone and appeals to your intended readership. For more details, please see my process overview above.
How long does the book cover design process take?
The timeline varies based on the complexity of the design. A simpler design, like a text-focused cover, might take around two weeks, while more detailed covers with custom illustrations can take several weeks. After our initial consultation, I will provide a clear timeline and keep you updated on progress at every stage.
Can I request revisions to the book cover design?
Yes. My process includes opportunities for feedback. Typically, it takes no more than three rounds of revisions to achieve a final cover that everyone is happy with.
What file formats will I receive the final book cover in?
Once the cover design is finalised, you will receive the artwork in the formats agreed in the proposal. This is usually a series of PSD files. If you need a specific file format or size for particular publishing requirements, just let me know!
How much does book cover design cost?
The cost of book cover design depends on the scope of the project, including the complexity of the artwork and the specific requirements for print and digital formats. After our initial consultation, I will provide a tailored proposal that takes into account your budget and the details of your project.
How do I get started with a book cover design project?
To get started, simply contact me using the form on this page. We’ll arrange an initial consultation to discuss your book, target audience, and ideas. From there, I’ll create a proposal with the timeline, deliverables, and pricing, so you’ll have a clear understanding before we begin.
What are the benefits of a well-designed book cover?
A great book cover draws readers in, visually representing the essence of your book and making it stand out on shelves or online. It’s often the first impression your book will make, helping it connect with the right audience and communicate its tone, genre, and themes in an instant. A professional, well-crafted cover can make all the difference in capturing a reader’s attention and sparking their curiosity.
What others have to say
“Kati has been a pleasure to work with. Her dedication to the project has been consistent from the first minute to the last. She captured perfectly what the Old Fire Station stands for through her extensive research, unique way of seeing, beautiful colour palette and dreamy characters. We are overjoyed with the result!”
Justine Malone
Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford
"It was not an easy brief but Kati interpreted the complex theme to present it in a way that was accessible and identifiable to a broad audience, which demonstrated a deep understanding of both design principles and the subject matter. Kati’s creative vision and attention to detail brought the theme to life in a way that was both engaging and informative. The design elements were not only visually impressive but also served to enhance the overall narrative. The use of colour and typography has really helped us to create an identity throughout the site and adapt the theme to different seasons, moreover the design combined artistic creativity with practical functionality. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with Kati again. Thank you."
Emma Emerson
Hughenden Manor, National Trust
“The illustrations and site-map that Kati has created for Kelmscott Manor are really very successful and everyone associated with the National Lottery Heritage Fund project was equally impressed with their clarity and the way in which the drawings of the Morris family members, birds and other characters work so well with the typography. She has made a delightful contribution to the Interpretation of the Manor and its outbuildings.”
Peter Cormack
MBE FSA Hon. Curatorial Adviser, Kelmscott Manor
“Kati has been an utter delight to work with and her illustrations have already become a treasured part of our College community. Now, with the map, we have a lovely (and very useful!) souvenir to give our visitors!“
Maryanne Saunders
Lincoln College
Get in touch
Ready for a chat?
Tell me a little bit about your project and we can take it from there.
I’m not quite ready,
show me more!