THE design STAGES THE GENERAL STAGES AND TIME FRAMES FROM START TO FINISH
the design HOW LONG DOES DESIGNING TAKE? Total average time: 3-5 weeks. This isn t a specific goal and I set no deadlines. Timeline from launch day: Concept development and design: 7-10 working days (up to 2 weeks) Revision turn around time: Once I recieve the feedback- 24-48 hours. Creating paperback: 2-3 working days Creating the marketing extras: 24-48 hours When timeframes may need to be extended: When there is heavy photomanipulation, photo shoots, illustration or painting required. Development and design of final concpets, should the first round be rejected: 3-5 working days. This is in the instance when the first offered round concepts for your package are rejected (see next page for more info) I do my best to keep the work moving fairly smoothly, which means I aim for a 24-48 hour turn around time for changes. How quickly you then are able to respond usually dictates how quickly a project can be finished. Someone who responds within an hour will have their cover much faster than someone who responds within half a week. And if you have set a deadline for your release date then please let me know and we can work towards having it ready by then! 2
the design CONCEPT STAGES: Banquet Package: 2 concepts sent. If these two concepts are rejected, the third will be designed and sent over. Candy Store Package: 2 concepts sent. If these two concepts are rejected, the third will be designed and sent over. Chocolate Fondue Package: 2 concepts sent. If these two concepts are rejected, there are options for up to three more, five in total. Why do I offer a limited number of concepts first? It s called choice paralysis. Presenting too many options to you can make you conflicted, be confused or overwhelmed, and get lost in the aesthetics rather than being clear about the purpose and message of the design. I understand what you need and interpret it into a visual medium. Having worked with over 200 authors, come from a writing background, and always being open and communicative, I m confident that we ll end up with a book cover you love. Directing all of my efforts on a limited number of designs means these designs get my greatest creativity, skills and focus for the best cover. 3
The book cover design PART I What s the from start to finish? 1. Through the questionnaire you can select a time for an initial phone conference, or decide to keep things through email. It s great for me to hear your thoughts, questions, and goals and in my experience it is just so much nicer to have a good yack about ideas and get excited about publishing. 2. While that is happening- and before we officially start the project- I will give myself two weeks to read your work. Your book doesn t have to be finished, or even edited completely. I just need to pick up on one or two vital elements which could be reflected in some of the concepts. 3. WEEK OF LAUNCH: The Monday that we get started is when the initial deposit for your package is due. I ll get in touch with you to work through a quick checklist, to make sure we have everything we need to get started. That will include your signed agreement, the questionnaire, and the payment. 4. Once that s sorted I enter the research and development phase. This normally takes about three days. This includes: a. analysing your genre and your competition; b. looking at the trends; c. assessing if this is the direction you want to go in d. reading up and researching elements of your book that can really bring that unique edge to it; e. brainstorming ideas before cutting them down to only the best; and f. sourcing stock images. 4
the design goals message book cover 5. I create alternate concepts, over the course of 7-10 working days, for you to look at. Each one will have their own personality and character, and will be developed with high resolution images so you can make a decision based upon the best quality and result. 6. Once that s made I can email you the concepts and give you time to think them over. After that I connect with you through email or my collaboration application to flesh out the ideas and develop your thoughts. 7. You ll receive the initial book cover designs to look at and we ll talk about which ones you like best, if there are any concepts you want to combine, or if we need to go in a completely different direction. 8. After the selections we enter into the revision phase, making the refinements, or the new concepts, as needed. This is a bit of back-and forth-ing until you re happy with the end product. If we near the limit of revisions for your package, I ll let you know well in advance so we can talk about the direction you want to go, otherwise we ll keep working until you re satisfied..zip you ve got your files! 9. I package up your high resolution files ready to send over to you in a zip file. The invoice for the final payment is sent to you so you can bring the account up to date. Once the payment clears all your files are sent to you. The Book Design House reachus@thebookdesignhouse.com www.thebookdesignhouse.com 5