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Creative Brief

SAMPLE BRIEF

Posted:

Front Cover Text

Title: SAMPLE BRIEF
Subtitle: How Your Brief Will Appear On The Site
Author: Zoe Norvell
“Author of” Line: Founder of INeedABookCover.com
Bestseller Line: #1 New York Times Bestseller

Book Genre

How To

Format

Hardcover, eBook

Trim Size

6 x 9″

Synopsis

This is where your synopsis goes. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla.

Example Book Covers

Example Book Cover Descriptions

• “Men Explain” and “Who We’re Reading” = I’d like to see one all-type exploration. I’m open to both serif fonts or sanserif fonts. I’m open to dark type on a light background or vice versa.
• “Nine Days” and “Critics’ Circle” = I’d like to see one direction that uses newspaper typography in some way. I prefer the full bleed photo background of Nine Days over the more quiet, solid color.
• “Exhausting,” “The Idiot,” “Letters to” = I’d like to see a version that uses an object that relates to the story as the central focus.
• I welcome a ‘designer’s choice’ option as well

Wrong Direction Book Covers

Wrong Direction Book Cover Descriptions

Do not want a color-centric design without an image or illustration. For the all-type option, text should dominate the composition over shapes, color, or negative space.

General Likes & Overall Vision

• Bold, loud typography
• Bright colors
• Open to serif or sanserif fonts but with a preference for serif

Dislikes & Things to Avoid

• Do not use Red as the dominant color or as the background color
• no scripts, cursive, or handwritten fonts

Stock Image Budget

$250
At a Glance

Budget

$2,000

Method

Self-Publishing

Schedule

3 weeks

Pub Date

November 2024

Contact

This is NOT a real brief. This is an example.

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Designer Requirements

Only a carefully curated group of designers are given access to the creative briefs posted on the INABC Jobs Board. This system ensures that clients receive top-notch, focused proposals from professionals whose talents have been vetted

All designers who will be bidding on your cover design have applied to receive job notifications and have been approved by the INABC admin team. Our approved designers:

  • Are professional book cover designers, not simply generalist graphic designers.
  • Have been working in the industry for a minimum of 3 years, usually more.
  • Must demonstrate a contemporary aesthetic, creating work that feels current and relevant to today’s book design market. We seek professionals who stay informed on industry trends while pushing boundaries with innovative, forward-thinking designs. Our designers know that our clients are not looking for designs that feel “dated.”
  • Work on multiple book cover projects in any given month
  • Are committed to delivering high-quality, original designs tailored to each client’s unique vision. 
  • Do NOT sell or offer book cover premades. At INABC, we do not condone the offering of pre-made book covers. We are fans of highly bespoke cover work.
  • Do NOT use AI-generated imagery in their commercial work.
  • Have accessible online portfolios showcasing book cover work that are easy for anyone to review.
  • Have extensive experience working with self-publishing authors AND commercial presses.
  • Are available and excited to receive these weekly briefs.

If you are contacted by a designer that doesn’t align with the requirements described above, we ask that you please contact the INABC admin team at ineedabookcover.assistant@gmail.com.

Designer Disclaimer

INABC is not a full-service design agency. It’s a curated directory that helps you connect directly with talented freelance designers. Each designer handles their own pricing, process, and contracts. We encourage you to communicate clearly with your chosen designer and to review their portfolio carefully to make sure they’re a good fit for your project. Designers and authors are expected to draft, negotiate, and sign their own contracts to ensure that expectations, deliverables, and rights are clearly outlined before any work begins.

While we do our best to curate a talented community, INABC is not involved in the collaborations that follow and we cannot guarantee the outcome of individual projects with specific designers. If you run into an issue with a designer that you find from using INABC, we are open to learning about your experience, but ultimately, INABC will not be involved in any specific disputes. For more information, visit the For Authors page and read our Terms & Conditions.

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