Errant Gift is the debut novel for author, Rhys Price. The book is an epic fantasy tale which follows the protagonists, Tali and Dale, as they uncover a slew of mysteriously linked events. I was commissioned to illustrate the full cover design for the new book.
MOODBOARDS
A Bold Fantasy Cover that Breaks the Mold
The goal for this book cover design was to move away from cliché fantasy aesthetics (ie. no dark ominous figure on a horse looking at a purple sky!) and create something fresh and distinctive. The author wanted a cover that was simple, bold and graphic — so that the book would stand out amongst the high volume of available fantasy books. The chosen moodboard below guided the design of a striking book cover.
THUMBNAIL DESIGNS
The Starting Point for the Cover
The book cover design process began with a series of thumbnail sketches, each offering different narrative scene options that could potentially be used for the final cover. These quick, initial sketches allowed me to explore various visual directions and identify appealing imagery.
CHARACTER DESIGN
Inventing a 'Nemagraw' Monster
An important plot line in the book is the rise of the Nemagraw population. These deadly creatures add to the book's originality and appeal, and so I wanted to incorporate them onto the cover. I collaborated with the author to bring these creatures to life, capturing his vision of them.
TITLE DESIGN
Transforming the Monster into a Typographic Symbol
The title of the book was a primary focus of the cover design. I adapted the text to elegantly display the title, and to allow for the text to function as a logo-like element for the book's branding. During the feedback rounds, we determined that the monsters would work better as a typographic silhouette rather than a fully-rendered illustration.
DESIGN ITERATIONS
From Concept Sketches to Cover
The cover evolved through multiple iterations, starting with concept sketches and moving to color variations before reaching the final design. This process allowed for creative exploration and regular feedback from the author, ensuring the cover accurately reflected his vision and the story’s essence.
FINAL COVER DESIGNS
Custom Illustrations to Build the Story's World
The entire cover was hand-drawn and colored on Photoshop. The book delves into events with cosmic origins, and while the front cover depicts a crucial moment with a shooting star crashing to Earth, the back cover enhances this theme with a powerful nebula.
If you'd like to learn more about the story, be sure to check out the book on Amazon!
