M4 CP - Book Cover Design [Part 1] The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz

     My most recently read book was written by one of my favorite authors, Dean Koontz. The book is titled The Crooked Staircase. While on vacation traveling at the airport I purchased this book and not because of the cover design. The large capital letters of the author's name caught my attention and I purchased the book. Now I have an opportunity to redesign a disappointing cover that I felt did not give this novel its due justice. 

      This book is part of a series so I understand why they would want to have the main character displayed.  I drew my sketches trying to incorporate that, and the telling of the story as well. My 7th sketch is what I will go with. On the front cover, for brand recognition, I will keep the author's name in capital letters, as it appears on all of his novels, with a white Thonburi font that will be utilized throughout the book cover design. The picture of a crooked staircase created with smart filters (adding noise and smart sharpening) along with the title together coming down the steps would complete the front cover design. The spine would include the title, author and publisher's logo. On the rear cover, applying the Figure/Ground Gestalt Principle, I will utilize a silhouette of a woman (my photo) using a layer mask. The description of the book, publisher's logo and scan code will appear here as well. I will attempt to create a design to describe and emit this thriller's foreboding story so as to pique the reader's interest in the book.

    

Below is the original book cover. Unknown designer.