We're so excited to be chatting to Adrian Valencia today. Adrian is the talent behind many of our favourite book covers. Today he tells us a little about his work.
We are huge fans of your illustrations at Novelicious. How did you get into cover design and what was the first book jacket you did?
Thank you so much. I was trained as a graphic designer and I've always been interested in working with books. I did lots of mock ups first illustrating existing books or films in order to build up a publishing portfolio.
It was quite challenging. My first book cover was "The Spellman Files" by Liza Lutz.
Do you read the book before you design the cover?
Sometimes the publisher sends you a couple of chapters just to get the idea but it is pretty unusual. I've recently read "All The Single Ladies" by Jane Costello and "A Message to your Heart" by Niamh Greene. I connected so much with those stories. I was so happy I was commissioned to illustrated those book covers.
We tend to see lots of cover trends in chick lit (women’s legs only, women’s backs only, silhouette women, super-imposed women). Can you tell us about any new trends that may be coming up?
I can only talk about what I do which is, in a way, pretty related to a specific illustrative style. I have noticed that designers are requesting more details; many characters in a book cover, lots of colours and lots of detail.
Which book jacket are you most proud of?
I feel for all of them at the time. I'm always very interested to fulfil the brief and to encourage future readers to stop and pay attention to the book cover - if they remember the title and the name of the author…Bingo!
Lindsey Kelk's "I Heart…" series has always been very special to me, as it was one of my first commissions.
Just a selection of Adrian's illustrations!
What is your favourite font?
Everything that can be hand written.
What is your design process? Do you have any special equipment or rituals?
The publisher/ designer sends me the brief. I'll have a look and go back to them with questions. Then I will produce a rough based on the answers.
Some book covers are pretty straightforward and others can go through many changes. Once the rough is approved I'll do a colour test.
I like to tidy up my desk before colouring, maybe I'll treat myself to a slice of carrot cake.
How has the popularity of ebooks changed the way you design covers, if at all?
I haven't perceived any change so far.
What is your favourite book jacket of all time and why?
I don't have a favourite, but I think most of David Mitchell's book covers designed by Kai and Sunny are absolutely gorgeous.
What advice could you give to aspiring cover designers?
I can only comment from an illustrator's perspective, as it is usually the graphic designer who comes up with the cover design concept. I would suggest working in the area that you are most passionate about.
If you travel a lot, illustrate travel. Work in the areas that you know best and that you are more familiar with, because it will show.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now I'm working on the next Janey Fraser book and it looks like fun!
Thanks, Adrian!
Visit Adrian on Facebook and Twitter or see his entire portfolio and blog at www.adrianvalencia.com