Book Cover Design

When it comes to book cover design, Riaan makes sure to harmonise the book cover and interior. Robert Bringhurst put it so succinctly in The Elements of Typographic Style: ‘discover the outer logic of the typography in the inner logic of the text’ he wrote. Riaan follows this approach not only for typography, but, book design as a whole, resulting in books with consistent style from the cover to the interior, all of which is based on the ‘inner logic of the text’. Described as ‘one of publishing’s strongest cover designers’ by HSRC‘s publishing team [Fri, 26 Mar 2021], Riaan’s approach is the same for academia, trade, or self-publishing. He employs this formula within the parameters of the publisher, author or series’ visual identity and house style. 

Academic Book Cover Design

riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-building-blocks
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-postcolonial-african-anthropologies
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-society-research-and-power
riaan-wilmans-book-academic-book-cover-design-zheng-he-voyages
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-leaping-into-the-future
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-textual-identities
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-state-of-the-nation-poverty-and-inequality
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-state-of-the-nation-ethics-politics-inequality
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-state-of-the-nation-quality-of-life-and-wellbeing
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-agrarian-question
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-dennis-brutus
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-celebrity-culture
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-granting-justice
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-south-africas-struggle-for-independent-education
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-at-the-foot-of-the-volcano
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-informal-sector
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-robben-island-rainbow-dreams
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-studying-while-black
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-other-side-of-freedom
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-power-of-memory
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-stars-in-our-eyes
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-thomas-sankara
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-vol-miriam-tlali
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-vol-fatima-meer
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-general-labour-history-of-africa
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-the-human-rights-implications-of-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-harambee
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-duty-and-dynamite
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-barometer-of-fear
riaan-wilmans-academic-cover-design-competition-in-africa

Trade Book Cover Design

riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-bloedsuier
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-if-were-really-quiet-it-wont-find-us
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-indigo-scarf
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-titan-strain
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-osiris-contingency
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-ragnarok-resolution
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-unquiet-place
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-man-who-hated-history
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-geen-engel-nie

Self-Publishing Book Cover Design

Basic

riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-comparative-consumer-protection
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-vengeance-of-the-crows
riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-summer-changes-everything

Medium

riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-personal-and-household-financial-management
riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-design-flaw
riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-the-man-in-the-dragon-robe

Advanced

riaan-wilmans-trade-cover-design-the-vaticans-vault
riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-the-sisal-baron
riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-blame-me-on-apartheid

Self-publishing Book Cover Design Process

  1. The author sends an enquiry through the Enquiries page on this website stipulating the cover category he or she is interested in.
  2. In response to the enquiry, Riaan asks a number of questions about the manuscript through email. Riaan also requests the completion of a literature analysis form; fiction, non-fiction, wherein he asks more in-depth predetermined questions.
  3. Riaan sends a quote for approval.
  4. On approval, Riaan sends the invoice for a 50% deposit.
  5. Riaan requests the manuscript or a chapter so he can get a feel for and better understanding of the material.
  6. Once the deposit has been paid Riaan starts by acquainting himself with the material and while doing so creates approximately five thumbnail sketches of potential front covers and sends this to the author.
  7. The author makes a selection of 1 to 3 front cover options and makes a few design requests.
  8. Riaan creates a draft design for each cover option and presents this to the author.
  9. The author makes a final selection and makes design requests. Riaan reworks the draft design up to final cover design and presents this to the author.
  10. Riaan and the author refine the final cover design until the author is satisfied.
  11. Riaan sends the invoice for the remaining amount and receives the final payment.
  12. Riaan sends the final files to the author.
  13. After the manuscript has been typeset the cover spine can be calculated using the page count as well as paper type.
  14. Riaan adjusts the spine and resends the final cover. This cost is included in the cover design fee.

Book Cover Design

When it comes to book cover design, Riaan makes sure to harmonise the book cover and interior. Robert Bringhurst put it so succinctly in The Elements of Typographic Style: ‘discover the outer logic of the typography in the inner logic of the text’ he wrote. Riaan follows this approach not only for typography but, book design as a whole, resulting in a book with consistent style from the cover to the interior, all of which is based on the ‘inner logic of the text’. Described as ‘one of publishing’s strongest cover designers’ by HSRC‘s publishing team [Fri, 26 Mar 2021], Riaan’s approach is the same for academia, trade, or self-publishing and employs this formula within the parameters of the publisher, author or series’ visual identity and house style. 

Academic Book Cover Design

society research power hsrc

Trade Book Cover Design

bloedsuier leon van nierop

Self-Publishing
Book Cover Design

riaan-wilmans-self-publishing-cover-design-blame-me-on-apartheid

Self-Publishing
Book Cover Design Costs

Self-Publishing
Book Cover Design Process

  1. The author sends an enquiry through the Enquiries page on this website stipulating the cover category he or she is interested in.
  2. In response to the enquiry, Riaan asks a number of questions about the manuscript through email. Riaan also requests the completion of a literature analysis form; fiction, or non-fiction, wherein he asks more in-depth predetermined questions.
  3. Riaan sends a quote for approval.
  4. On approval, Riaan sends the invoice for a 50% deposit.
  5. Riaan requests the manuscript or a chapter so he can get a feel for and a better understanding of the material.
  6. Once the deposit has been paid Riaan starts by acquainting himself with the material and while doing so creates approximately five thumbnail sketches of potential front covers and sends this to the author.
  7. The author makes a selection of 1 to 3 front cover options and makes a few design requests.
  8. Riaan creates a draft design for each cover option and presents this to the author.
  9. The author makes a final selection and makes design requests. Riaan reworks the draft design up to the final cover design and presents this to the author.
  10. Riaan and the author refine the final cover design until the author is satisfied.
  11. Riaan sends the invoice for the remaining amount and receives the final payment.
  12. Riaan sends the final files to the author.
  13. After the manuscript has been typeset the cover spine can be calculated using the page count as well as paper type.
  14. Riaan adjusts the spine and resends the final cover. This cost is included in the cover design fee.