Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover:
Collide in Infinity: poems and abstracts
by Adam Tramantano
Let's face it: not every writer is a graphic designer, and hiring one can be expensive. So, while the saying goes "don’t judge a book by its cover," we all know we do it anyway. Why? Because humans are wired to make quick judgments based on visual cues. A book's cover is the first interaction we have with it, giving an immediate impression.
Visuals are powerful; they evoke emotions, set the tone, and create expectations for the reading experience. So yes, a cover does matter. It’s rooted in our need for quick, efficient decision-making.
I recently read this free ebook on Kindle called Collide in Infinity: poems and abstracts
by Adam Tramantano
Why This Micro Chapbook?
The combination of a free Kindle edition and a compelling title had me hooked, but the cover design felt like a missed opportunity, failing to capture the book’s potential with its clumsy font pairings and disorganized text placement.
Redesigning the Cover
I’m new to designing book covers, but here’s my take:
The Color Pallet:
My first step was to ditch the overly bright hues and embrace the actual colors used in Tramantano’s artwork. The book is filled with deeper tones, so I selected a palette directly inspired by his pieces, instantly creating a more harmonious connection between the cover and the art within.
The Font:
Tramantano’s abstract style is characterized by bold strokes and dynamic movement. To mirror this visually, I chose a brush stroke font for the title. It felt like a natural fit, capturing the energy of his work and setting the stage for the reading experience. The title, “Collide in Infinity,” is already compelling, and the brush stroke font adds that extra visual punch.
The Design:
To further emphasize the abstract theme and visually represent the “collide” and “infinity” concepts, I incorporated blue squiggly lines and infinity symbols in the corners. I wanted these lines to interact with the title, almost as if they were colliding with the words themselves. This adds a dynamic layer to the design and reinforces the book’s core themes.
While I believe the author’s name deserves recognition, it shouldn’t overshadow the title. I strategically placed “Adam Tramantano” in a muted color, angling it to align with the “infinity” element. This ensures his name is present without competing for attention with the more prominent title.
Ultimately, my goal was to create a cover that truly reflects the essence of “Collide in Infinity.” I wanted it to be visually engaging, thematically relevant, and a genuine representation of Tramantano’s unique artistic vision. I believe this new design achieves that, offering a more compelling and accurate introduction to the book.
My Book Review
This is such a good book of poems and abstract paintings. The author articulates his thoughts very well. Leaves much to think about.
It’s a shame the cover does zero justice for what to expect. It doesn’t compliment the content at all.
I love the closing section that says “A square can make you feel like you have less space and more space. A square keeps reminding you that it’s all about conceptualization and perception.”
“WE NEED NO EXPLANATION” is my favorite poem in this book.
I highly recommend this book if you love art and poetry that evokes deep thoughts and analyzing.
