Visual Communication

We live in a world where, whether we like it or not, people judge a book by its cover. Many authors have the wrong concept that all it takes to capture a reader is the story itself, which is an erroneous thought that can lead an author down the wrong path.

I have been working as a graphic designer for six years now and I have lost count of how many businesses have flunked because of poor visual communication.

To avoid this common mishap, here are some guidelines to follow when creating the "bait" that will attract your readers:

-Do the visuals communicate the story?
When asking yourself this question, try to picture yourself as your reader. If you saw your cover, promo poster, or any visuals for your novel, would you be excited and curious about it?

-Does it look professional?
Always set a standard for yourself. Your visuals are also the author's reflection. Are they polished? Do they contain elements that will effectively communicate your story? Make sure your visuals do not look like something designed on Microsoft Word or Powerpoint.

-Would your characters be proud of the visuals that represent them?
I know, weird concept, but not if you learn how to embrace it. You have spent countless hours with your characters; you know them like the back of your hand. When creating your visual promotion, try to picture yourself as one of your characters. As mentioned above, all of your visuals are a reflection of the author.

I hope this post can help authors or designers out there that are trying to visually communicate their words. But the best tip of all is: LESS IS MORE.

J.D.Netto
Apart from writing, J.D.Netto is also a graphic designer. To view his portfolio, log on to www.jdnetto.com
The Whispers of the Fallen