Musings from N-K projects. How do you find a graphic designer? Review the portfolio, read client testimonials and blog posts.
Here’s a book cover case study to illustrate that point. Cherita, a first-time author, contacted me about my book-design services. First, I wrote her a contract that included a cost to design the cover. She responded, “I already have a book cover, so I won’t need that service.” I deleted that cost from my estimate. …
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If you want your book to stand out from the competition, it must be distinctive and eye-catching. For that to occur, it should be designed by an experienced book designer. My mission is to guide authors through the book-design process with custom-designed book covers and interiors, production, and file preparation for printing. This process includes…
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What a way to start my day! Monday morning, a client’s email said, “This cover ID number should say 10520. Please, please tell me the print version doesn’t have the wrong year too?!!! We had 3k of these printed!” Oh no, this is bad news! My heart started pounding, and I hadn’t finished breakfast yet. What…
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The annual report cover for the Society of the Sacred Heart began with an amaryllis watercolor painting by Sister Donna Dolan. “We are struck by her amaryllis surrounded in darkness. Image-wise and symbolically, it just feels right for the cover. Donna is working on getting us a high-resolution image, but this is what we’d like…
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Do you create new covers to replace old ones? Yes, I design new covers to replace existing covers. I work with authors who are ready for a new cover because their first one did not look professional or didn’t appeal to their target audience. If you have regained the rights to out-of-print books from your former publishers, your book will need a new cover…
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I received an email inquiry from an author for my book cover design service. Jeff’s book had originally been published by CreateSpace. “The covers were made a while ago when it was common for authors to use CreateSpace’s Covercreator,” he explained.“These covers need an update. So, I’m contacting designers who might be the best fit for this…
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I said goodbye to our old portfolios this week. My partner, Gary, and I were cleaning out the office closet. There were four portfolios filled with past printed samples. We had used them to show potential clients our work, hopefully, to win a client over, and to sell our creative services. The portfolios were filled…
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Have you ever searched for the perfect photo? I have! In fact, I’m always searching for the perfect photo for a brochure, a poster, a magazine, or, in this case a book cover. This book-cover design started off much like other projects. First, the project manager and editor, Andy, provided me with information about the…
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