Hello Natasha! Tell us about your creative journey… how did you become a book cover designer?
I studied graphic design in university. After graduation, I worked in branding and advertising as a designer. I’m an avid reader and formed a wonderful group of friends on Goodreads. Some of my friends are authors, and I made a few covers for them. That had other authors inquiring about hiring me, and after many years working part-time as a book cover designer and full-time as a designer in advertising, I finally went into book cover design full-time and I’ve never looked back.
Do you have a favorite genre or theme to design for and why is your favorite?
Lately I’m really loving Scifi Romance (and it’s like 40% of my customs this year, lol). I love it because you can really push the rules for “what goes” in terms of aliens, and I love drawing hair, so I get to do that a lot on Scifi Rom.
Many authors are mystified about how cover designers work. What is your creative approach when taking on a new project?
Making sure you and your client are on the same page. If there’s anything they’ve asked for that I’m not sure of, or if I’m not sure I’ll be able to create, I’ll let them know. If they ask for a certain style or look, I’ll provide links to references to see if that’s what they’re referring to
What do authors need to know to have the best outcome when working with a professional cover designer?
A lesson from college that one of our professors told us: A designer is creating a product (a book cover) in order to bridge the gap between you (the author) and your clients (readers). There are sometimes colors an author will dislike, or poses they hate, or manchest, or cover tropes, but if those are some of the most effective tools I can use to help you sell your product (your book) don’t take it personally and use those tools.
What are your top 5 favorite fonts? Is there a font you hate that everyone else seems to love?
I’m a bit of a one-trick-pony. My all-time favorite is Trajan Pro. I like Bebas Neue, love the Futura family. I dislike most cursive fonts.
What do you wish Authors knew about book cover design?
Hire a designer whose opinions you trust, whose portfolio and style you love, and try not to ask for changes that won’t affect the sellability of your cover.
What does your creative/workspace look like? What tech/computer do you use?
I use a 2017 iMac with a secondary monitor, along with a Wacom Cintiq pro 24. Also a little baby angel who is usually sleeping on her pillow. I also have a book case, fairy lights, and a wall of framed BTS magazines (lol). ?
Do you have any “fur babies” who assist in your design process?
Yes! A year old kitty. Her name is Libby and she’s the light of my life.
You can find Natasha Snow here:
Natasha Snow Designs | natashasnow.com
www.facebook.com/natashasnowdesigns