Usually, we show you only the book cover design process. But today, we have something even more special: a full book aesthetic case.
Lexy Jean wanted her book to feel like a true collectible edition, with every detail working together to create a striking visual experience, from sprayed edges and endpapers to a dust jacket and chapter openers.
Are you ready to take a closer look at it all?
Author’s request for custom cover design
Before we move on to the process, let’s learn more about Lexy Jean’s book Deck of Fate.
It’s a fantasy novel set in a world divided by powerful symbols: Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades. At the center of the story are Elora and Rhiya, two girls whose lives take very different turns as they face a society built on symbols, privilege, and control. Through their journeys, the book explores identity, ambition, loyalty, and the courage to question the system around them.
For the cover, Lexy Jean wanted a vector-style design centered around an elegant gold spade. The composition was meant to show a contrast between two worlds, with an abandoned city at the bottom and a prestigious city at the top, connected by a transition in which the lower part begins to crack. The author also envisioned a frame inspired by a playing card, with magical sparkles scattered throughout the design to create an enchanting mood.
Lexy Jean also shared several book covers she liked as design references.
Source: Fourth Wing, Ash Princess, Lightlark
Custom book cover our designer created
Our designer reviewed all the author’s wishes and created the first concept.
Lexy Jean was happy with the design and felt it was very close to her vision. To make it fully match what she had in mind, she asked for a few final revisions:
- Remove the birds at the bottom;
- Take away the magical sparkles around the city at the top;
- Replace the background texture with the map from her story that she shared with us;
- Add the series title at the bottom and the tagline at the top.
Now, let’s enjoy the full look of the finished cover.
Aesthetic design details that complete the book’s look
The author wanted not only a book cover design but also distinctive visual details to elevate the book’s overall look.
Let’s start with the stunning sprayed edges, which perfectly match the cover and the story’s symbolism. They feature playing card suits on a dark background, creating a beautiful contrast with the cover and making the whole design feel even more elegant and eye-catching.
Then, as readers open the book, they are welcomed by stylish dark endpapers created in the same color palette as the sprayed edges and the overall design.
As they move into the story, the chapter headers add even more beauty to the text itself. With every new chapter, readers get another small touch of the book’s magical atmosphere.
And, of course, the author also chose a dust jacket. It not only makes the book feel even more impressive but also serves as an extra layer of protection. The author went with a minimalist jacket design, but it can also include additional information about the author and their work if needed.
Learn more about creating a stunning dust jacket in our blog post.
Summing up
As a result, the book no longer looks like a regular one. It feels like a luxurious limited edition that instantly catches the eye. And considering the design’s colors, it is literally gold and treasure, don’t you agree?
If you also want your book to impress readers at first glance with distinctive visual details, we’ll be happy to create a limited-edition design for you.
