Book Covers · Concept Project
North of Nowhere
Series-ready cover system for a three-book contemporary suspense arc.
Genre
Contemporary suspense / detective series
Year
2026
Timeline
4 weeks · 3 titles designed as one system
Challenge
Three titles had to feel unmistakably related without repeating themselves.
Approach
A fixed grid and type lockup with a rotating colour and motif variable per book, so book four can be added later without a redesign.
Creative Process
The system was tested at thumbnail scale across a simulated category page, sitting beside real competitor covers to confirm it held its own at 90 pixels.
Final Result
A scalable cover system with print and ebook variants for each title.
Lessons / Impact
Shows how series design compounds recognition across a backlist.
Deliverables
- Three front covers built on one master grid
- Series style guide: grid, type lockup, accent rules
- Ebook and print variants per title
- Thumbnail contact sheet at 90 px
Specification
- Trim size
- 5.5" × 8.5" paperback
- Grid
- Fixed left accent bar + 3-line title lockup
- Variable
- One accent colour and one motif per book
- Type
- Condensed grotesque, 3 weights only
Services Provided
- Cover design
- Series system
- Ebook variant
- Thumbnail testing
Tools & Standards
- Photoshop
- InDesign
- Figma (system spec)
Project Outcome
Outcome field reserved for verified client results.
Concept Project. Created to demonstrate craft and process, not presented as delivered client work.
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