Sensational Cover Design || Farah Evers Designs

Hi Farah! Thanks for agreeing to answer some questions for me!

Thank you so much for having me! Cover artists are often forgotten in the book world, so I truly appreciate this opportunity.

Farah, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.

I’m a Jill of all trades, an artist in general. I do everything art, from graphic & fine arts to performance arts. I’m also a Sci-fi writer. 

In addition to fiction, I have written a graphic guide for DIY book cover design. (A Graphic Guide for the Self-Published Author) I also write bi-monthly articles on my website about cover design, offering people tons of information, tips, and tricks of the trade.

I have two businesses, Farah Evers Designs and Evers Hosting. The former is a service oriented company, offering everything graphic design, with a special emphasis on book cover design, and the latter is a domains/hosting/webdesign and development company. 

How did you come to work in graphic design?

Around 14 years ago, we owned an ISP company. I worked for the family, and during that time, I began to dabble with drawing software at the office. I began creating promotional material, and then moved on to supervising the graphic design department. It spiraled into a side career. Funnily enough, I studied interior architecture, and worked as an architect for a couple of years, but I was funding myself and paying my tuition the entire time with an odd combination of graphic design and theater work.

What are the elements that go into the design of a good cover?

That’s a good question. Everything from proper typography, overall balance in design elements, contrast, and conceptual elements, are the makings of a good cover. People rarely realize that a good cover has absolutely nothing to do with the image used in the background. I understand it’s such a difficult concept to grasp, but good graphic design is all about the actual design elements and a simple font. The image or illustration chosen only accentuates the overall composition.

Why is a professionally designed cover important?

You must judge a book by its cover! And let’s face it, a lot of people do. A professionally designed cover shows that you care about your craft, and that you are serious about being an indie author. Did you know that it could take up to a year for traditional publishers to issue and approve a cover mockup? And that’s with a team of designers working together. 

A book cover is the first point of sales that meets the reader’s eye. We have marketing tricks in design that can draw people in to your cover vs unprofessional ones. Secrets of the trade. :P

Do you work mostly with authors or publishers to design covers?

Both! I am TTM’s (Twin Trinity Media and Publishing) in-house designer, and will be contracting soon with Random Distraction Publishing as their primary designer. If there are other small presses out there in need of some quality work, I’d be happy to contract with them too.

I also work independently with indie authors, because I feel that we can raise the standards, and help the cream rise to the top.

Is there a difference in the way authors approach cover creation versus publishers?

Definitely! Most authors don’t always know “how” to approach cover creation. They just slap pictures, cocktail some fonts, and leave a teeny tiny name on the bottom, like signing a letter. Creating high standard covers requires more than just talent, but also knowledge and experience.

It hurts some people’s feelings when I say that not all authors are actually designers, nor are they expected to be. It’s like giving your manuscript to your carpenter and asking them for a professional edit. Wouldn’t you prefer an editor? 

Some think that it’s better to put anything out rather than nothing at all, because they can’t afford it. I don’t agree with that for several reasons, one of which is that you can actually hurt your sales by putting amateur work out there, and therefore not generate any profit at all. You’d accomplish nothing and hurt your reputation as a professional writer. 

If the author can save money over a period of time and pay for a pro cover, or if they can take the time to learn how to do it properly, it might help them create better quality covers on their own. I offer free cover design every year to help authors in need. (Keep an eye out for my contests and giveaways.) 

Of course, if you’re multi-talented and already have what it takes, then by all means, go for it.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Being in control of the standard I put out. I’m very passionate about my job, and I enjoy utilizing my very own signature conceptualization techniques every time I receive a new form. It’s something I have rarely seen elsewhere. Perhaps it’s old school mentality.

What's the least favorite aspect of your job?

When stubborn clients make me produce work I am ashamed to put in my portfolio. Some clients will keep asking for changes until I have some kind of Frankenstein on my hands! Nowadays, I turn down clients I can’t work with. I feel it’s for the best.

Do you have any minions?

LOL Only in my video games. 

Tell us your wackiest cover story.

I won the 2013 Epic Ariana cover award for my very first book cover “Dream Walking” by author Michelle Devon. Weirdly enough, that entire file simply vanished one day. It was the only book cover I didn’t have in my collection. To add it to my online gallery, I had to steal it from a random Google search! 

Finally, please share a few examples of your most favorite covers or the ones you are proudest of.

Quick Quiz:

·         What color are your favorite pajamas? BLACK

·         Favorite fruit? WATERMELON

·         Favorite movie? I, ROBOT

·         Do you believe in magic? NOPE!

·         Margaritas or martinis? MARTINIS, THREE OLIVES

Thanks again!


BIO:
Current Location: The Netherlands. - Naturalized Dutch citizen.
"I'm a Jill of all trades, and a master of some!"

Farah Evers was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 11th 1978. She graduated from the Lebanese American University in correspondence with the University State of New York, carrying a BS in Liberal Arts (Major: Interior Architecture - Minor: Fine Arts), in 2000.

She then moved on to studying German and Dutch and received certificates in both languages.

Her intuition for graphic art & design earned her 13 years experience in the field of graphics, but also as a digital artist, with an emphasis on Science Fiction digital art. 

Twin Trinity Media currently contracts with Farah as one of their graphic designers for the digital download short story covers. She also works with other indepenent indie authors and small press publishers. In 2013, she won the Epic Ariana Award for book cover design in the Paranormal/Fantasy genre. Two of her covers have been nominated for the 2014 awards.

Farah Evers is also an author. Her first published short story appeared in an anthology book, Elements of Dimension, in 2010. She then published two e-short stories from the Expressions of Grace anthology collection: "The Feather" & "Julio Adriane". All short stories won third place in TTM's writing contest. Farah then moved on to focusing on her career as a Science Fiction novelist. She has completed her first novel and is currently writing her second.

Besides her passion for design and writing, Farah is a Jazz-Blues song writer/singer. Her hit singles have reached Soundclick's top 10 charts in Jazz vocals.

Additionally, she is an amateur actor, currently a Meisner trainee at Mulholland Academy.

Visit her website.

A GRAPHIC GUIDE FOR THE SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR is available on Amazon.