Joe+Marz-+Book+Cover+Design+Research

=__Book Covers:__=

=__Art Elements and Principles:__=

=
All covers that I have picked use a significant amount of art elements and principles-- making them pleasing to viewers. The first of the three covers I have selected-- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-- uses art elements such as color- seen in the cover's cold color scheme that features mostly blues-- space-- seen from the candles and typography in the foreground, the character in the middle ground and the room in the background-- value-- with its numerous shades of blue-- and texture-- in how the design of the character and the candles makes the cover come alive in a sense. In addition to these art elements, the first cover makes use of the art principles of balance-- seen in the balance between the candles in the foreground, the character in the middle ground and the room in the background-- emphasis-- in how the larger size of the character makes him stand out on the cover-- movement-- in how the wisps of the candles make the eyes move when looking at said candles-- and repetition-- in how the repetition of the burning candles makes the piece come alive.=====

My second cover-- The Power of Six-- also features pleasing art elements like color-- in how most of the piece uses a blue color scheme--shape-- seen in the numerous sphere-like objects on the cover--value--seen in the different shades of blue utilized on the cover-- and texture-- in how the rippling blues give the cover the texture of a wave. Additionally, this cover-- as my first cover did-- sees utilization of art principles. These principles include emphasis-- in how the larger size of the symbol in the background makes it stand out among other elements in the piece-- movement-- in how the wave-like design of the cover catches the eye and makes it move-- and pattern-- in how the drop-like objects on the cover are repeated in order to make the symbol in the background.

The third and final cover that I have chosen-- The Book Thief-- likewise encompasses several art elements. Such elements include shape-- seen primarily in the rectangular shape of the dominoes-- line-- from how said rectangular shapes are created by several lines-- form-- as seen from the rectangular shapes that form the dominoes-- and color-- in the primarily black and brown color scheme of the design. As its two counterparts did, this cover also features some art principles. These principles include movement-- from how the path the dominoes makes is followed by the eye-- pattern-- seen in the repetition of the dominoes on the cover-- and rhythm-- in how the repetition of the dominoes seems to create an organized movement.

=__Typography and Illustrations:__= The book cover "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" uses a unique typography on its cover-- one that is now extraordinarily recognizable due to the popularity of the book-- and takes up a good portion of the cover so as to be easily legible, but does not take up too much of the cover so as to take away from the illustration in the design. This cover's illustrations-- the candles, Harry Potter, and the doors in the background-- are all detailed enough so as to showcase a highly recognizable character-- Harry Potter-- and all help to make the illustration come alive-- as the candles being placed in the foreground, Harry being placed in the middle ground and the doors being placed in the background all help to give off the idea that the illustration of the cover was depicting an event that actually occurred.

The second cover, "The Power of Six" has a fairly simple sans serif typography-- making it seemingly bland in that respect. However, the typography is made out of a unique color that changes in value-- making the typography both interesting and innovative. Additionally, the typography is easily read, and takes up a small portion of the cover-- thus making the design in the background stand out. This cover's illustration features a unique-looking design that is make up of several art elements and principles-- such as pattern, emphasis, and shape-- and is unique enough so as to draw someone in and make someone want to learn more about the book. Furthermore, the illustration is made up of what looks like water droplets-- thus making the design seem real.

My final cover, "The Book Thief", features a title that has a unique and innovative typography-- appearing as though it was drawn in chalk, which makes sense, as the main character is a girl who is trying to learn to read through various activities such as writing letters in chalk-- and is a large enough size so as to be read easily, but is not so large that it takes away from the design as a whole. The cover's illustration-- dominoes-- is unique and is unlike covers seen before it-- making someone want to learn more about the book as a result. In addition, the illustration is made up of several art elements and principles-- including movement, repetition, line and form.

=__How the covers grab a reader's attention:__=

=
My first cover draws readers in with a large, interesting title that is unlike any seen before it-- aside from previous books in the series-- and with the image of a now known and beloved protagonist. While my second cover does not have as unique of a title in terms of typography, it relies more upon its illustration to draw in customers-- as it has a design that is unique, simple and pleasing to look at all at the same time. The third and final cover has a very unique title-- which looks as though it was drawn in chalk-- and an odd front image-- creating a sort of mystery within a viewer that compels them to want to learn more about the book.=====

=__Synopsis of Book:__= Book: The Revenge of Seven Synopsis: The Garde are in grave peril. Their beloved friend, Eight, is dead. Their once friend, Five, has fallen to the enemy. Their youngest friend, Ella, has been abducted by the Mogadorians.

Now, the group has been separated. Back in Chicago, John has made a new friend in Mogadorian-turned-ally Adam-- whose knowledge of the Mog’s innerworkings has presented the Garde with just the push they need to turn the tide of the war back in their favor. Together, they rush to take down the Mogadorians and stop the oncoming invasion before it begins.

Having been captured by the Mogadorians, Ella is forced to watch the invasion from the warships of the Mogadorians-- doomed to watch the death of the home she once knew.

Concurrently, back in Florida, Marina, Six and Nine are fresh off of the loss of Eight, and are out for revenge against Five for his misdeeds. Thanks to a new Legacy, Marina finally has the power she needs to fight back against the Mogs-- if she can overcome the rage in her heart and her lust for revenge against Five.

Join Pittacus Lore and his infamous Garde as yet another exhilarating book in the form of "The Revenge of Seven" takes shape!

=__Book Cover Sources:__= http://www.openflame.com/harrypotter/book_covers.shtm http://blog.usmalibrary.org/2015/08/20/the-library-reads-the-book-thief-by-markus-zusak/ http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8659601-the-power-of-six

=__Sources for Thumbnail Research:__= http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19346451-the-revenge-of-seven