Concentric shapes exude different feelings depending on how the designer uses the visual device. Sometimes, a different character or time period is contained within each layered, concentric circle, as in Middlemarch and The River of No Return, seen below. Other times, radiating lines create a sense of nervousness and unease.
Here are dozens of covers that all use some form of radiating shapes. Explore the tag “concentric” to see even more covers that use this engaging design element.
The Casual Optimist blog posted about this in 2014. View here. Spine Magazine also gave the circle some love. View here.
*Blog post cover image is by Jasper Johns
The River of No Return by Bee Ridway
Designed by Nick Misani
My Life In Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead
Designed by Elena Giavaldi
The Girl Before by Rena Olsen
Designed by Jaya Miceli
Minutes of Glory by Ngugu Wa Thiong’o
Designed by Oliver Munday
The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Designed by Emily Mahon
Mother of Strangers by Suad Amiry
Designed by Jenny Carrow
Everything The Light Touches by Janice Pariat
Designed by Ellie Game
Half-Life Of A Secret by Emily Strasser
The Believer by Sarah Krasnostein
Designed by Jaya Miceli
Imminence by Mariana Dinopulos
Designed by Justin Carder
Blue Self-Portrait by Noemi Lefebvre
The Raptures by Jan Carson
Designed by Irene Martinex Costa
Like Crazy by Dan Matthews
Designed by Laywan Kwan
The Great Man Theory by Teddy Wayne
Designed by Myunghee Kwon
The End And Other Beginnings by Veronica Roth
Designed by Erin Fitzsimmons
Rule Your Day by Joel Osteen
Designed by Faceout Studio
The Child by Bee Ridway
Designed by Luke Bird
The Listeners by Jordan Tannahill
Designed by Jack Smyth
The Immortal King Rao by Vauhini Vara
Designed by Keith Hayes
The Blueprint by Rae Giana Rashad
Designed by Robin Bilardello
