When book coach Jo Lena Johnson asked me to design a cover for a menopause book, the creative brief included an unusual challenge: incorporate 67 menopause symptoms into the artwork. Through collaboration, exploration, and a change in direction, the project evolved into a cover that was both informative and visually engaging.

First-time author Charles J. Pearson shares what he learned about the book design process—from evaluating cover concepts to testing designs with readers. This collaborative project demonstrates how research, feedback, and partnership can lead to a stronger book cover and a better reader experience.