Nathalie Sowa, ‘Ten Things I’ve Learned Designing for a University Press‘, University of Chicago Press, Blog

We’re often introduced to a book through its cover. Catching our eye on a bookstore display, in a social media post, or shared by a favorite reviewer, covers give us a glimpse into what each book holds. But how does a cover come into existence? What goes into the process and how do designers dream them up? We checked in with Natalie Sowa, one of our very own in-house designers, to hear about working in book design. In turn, she offers the ten things she’s learned while designing covers for a university press.

Some very interesting reflections on cover design, a crucial part of book production but where authors have little insight (and often little involvement). I’ve been very pleased with the covers of my University of Chicago Press books, and those with Polity, but really unhappy with some of the ones earlier in my career.