This project was particularly unique as the client was directly the author, Denisse Goldfarb, rather than a publishing house. This direct collaboration allowed for a more intimate understanding of the author’s vision and message, resulting in a design that truly reflects the essence of the book.
Credits
Art Direction, Concept Creation and Design: Konstantina Gavala
Languages and Availability: Spanish. Print and digital versions.
Technical Characteristics: Print dimensions: 6″x9”.
Short Description/Briefing
Client: Denisse Goldfarb Casas, Santiago, CHILE
Objective: Create a captivating book cover and interior layout design for “Con100te de mi futuro”, a book on employability in a digital age.
Target: Men and women professionals between 25 and 50 years of age, who are interested in preparing themselves for the requirements of the current and future work environment.
Key Requirements:
- Interactivity: Include QR codes within the book, allowing readers to access information, and the test that is included with the purchase of the book.
- Title wordplay: The word “consciente” (“aware” in Spanish) should be written “con100te” (100 is “cien”). That way, there is a mention already in the title of the test included (results in %).
On designing Con100te de mi futuro
Inspiration for the Cover:
The inspiration behind the cover design for “Con100te de mi futuro” stemmed from the desire to visually encapsulate the essence of navigating professional success in the digital age. The futuristic image of a person wearing a VR headset was created (the image is AI-generated especially for the project) to symbolize the intersection of technology and personal growth, reflecting the book’s focus on future-oriented career strategies.
Visual Storytelling:
The key elements that made this cover design stand out internationally include its striking imagery, modern typography, and cohesive visual message. The layout is symmetrical, having only the “extras” (red band & dot) slipping away from its austerity.
The futuristic imagery on the cover immediately captures attention and conveys the book’s focus on navigating the digital landscape. This visual choice not only aligns with the book’s content but also resonates with a global audience familiar with the rapid advancements in technology.
The typography chosen for the cover is a key element that enhances its modern and professional appeal. The title uses a clean, sans-serif font that is both bold and easily readable, ensuring that it stands out prominently against the darker background. The author’s name, also presented in a sans-serif font in bold, is positioned at the bottom of the cover to balance the overall composition. The consistent use of sans-serif fonts throughout the cover contributes to a cohesive and contemporary look, aligning perfectly with the book’s theme of digital age professionalism.
The colour scheme for the cover was selected with careful consideration to reflect the book’s themes of innovation, technology, and forward-thinking.
The primary colour, a sleek and modern shade of blue, was selected for its associations with trust, professionalism, and calmness, which are qualities that resonate with the book’s target audience of professionals seeking guidance in the digital era.
The contrasting red elements, particularly the “100” in the title and the “2ª edición” band, were incorporated to draw attention and create a sense of urgency and importance. Red is a colour that naturally attracts the eye and signifies energy and action, which aligns with the book’s proactive approach to career development.
The black band across the cover adds a layer of sophistication and modernity, grounding the design and providing a strong visual anchor for the subtitle and additional text. This choice ensures that the cover remains clean and uncluttered while still delivering all necessary information effectively.
The spine of the book maintains the same blue background as the front cover, ensuring a seamless look when the book is viewed from the side. The title and the author’s name are displayed vertically in the same clean, sans-serif font used on the front, with the “100” in red to maintain consistency and visual interest.
The back cover features the same gradient blue background as the front that transitions from a lighter shade at the top to a darker shade at the bottom, creating a visually appealing backdrop for the text. The top section includes several endorsements from notable professionals, presented in a clean, sans-serif font that ensures readability.
A black band runs horizontally through the front cover, and across the spine and the middle of the back cover, housing a key quote there that encapsulates the book’s theme. Below the black band, a brief synopsis of the book is provided, detailing the author’s insights and the practical tools offered within.
The front flap, is all in black, separating it from the rest of the cover spaces. It includes a professional photograph of Denisse Goldfarb, accompanied by a brief biography that highlights her extensive experience and credentials. This section is designed to build credibility and connect with the reader on a personal level.
The back flap features a call-to-action, encouraging readers to engage with the author providing links to her social media profiles and website, fostering further engagement and connection with the audience.
Overall, the side, back cover, and flaps are designed to complement the front cover, creating a unified and professional look that enhances the book’s appeal and marketability.
The consistent use of colour, typography, and layout ensures that the book stands out on shelves and provides a cohesive reading experience from cover to cover.
The design principles applied to the cover extend seamlessly into the interior of the book, ensuring a cohesive and engaging reader experience. The interior layout mirrors the modern, forward-thinking theme of the cover, utilizing clean lines, contemporary fonts, and strategic use of white space to enhance readability and maintain visual interest.
Key Elements of the Interior Design
- Typography:
The interior text is set in Roboto (12pt). This clean, sans-serif font, enhances readability while maintaining a contemporary look. Headings and subheadings use versions of the same font to create a clear hierarchy and guide the reader through the content.
- Layout and White Space:
The layout is designed with ample white space, making the content easy to navigate and visually appealing.
- Visual Elements:
The interior includes various visual elements such as diagrams, charts, and callout boxes. These elements are designed to support the text and, as well, provide visual interest, aligning with the book’s theme. Unfortunately, we are not able to share many examples, as they are copyrighted material.
- Practice Sheets:
The book features practical worksheets and exercises which are designed to help readers apply the concepts discussed in the book to their own careers. These sheets are clearly laid out and easy to use, reinforcing the book’s practical approach. Unfortunately, we are not able to share examples, as they are copyrighted material.
Along with the book design, we have prepared the whole campaign for the book’s presentation in Spain (seen above), as well as the social media visuals for the subsequent promotional campaign for the first and second editions of the book.
Unfortunately, we are not able to share many examples, as they are copyrighted material.