Requested by -ACRASIA-
d i s c l a i m e r :
• these tips aren't absolute. Just do whatever you want, I've seen horror covers with vibrant colors and fancy calligraphy so just make whatever you want.
• I got inspired by Stephen King's novel covers, there are so many variations and kudos to those cool graphic designers!
...
Anyways, after browsing Wattpad, Google, and Pinterest... between simple, minimalist (illustration), and manipulation covers, the most common type of cover for horror is simple, then followed by manipulation.
BUT, minimalist is popular for hard cover books (an actual book), especially older books.
*the manip looks more sci-fi than horror :v
Personally, I don't reccomend doing vectors if you're making a horror cover because I think it takes the scary factor away. However, there are some exceptions, such as the cover of the paid book "Swallow", which is the vector of a hand holding an organ.
*Great job for the graphic designer!
Okay, so these are some beginner tips for making horror covers :
1. Browsing
When you're looking for pictures you want to use for your cover, just add 'creepy' or 'scary' at the front of the search bar.
e.g. :
• creepy/scary clown [photography/illustration]
• creepy building [photography/illustration]
• etc
2. Stock up scary fonts
Obviously, you need fonts to make the title of the cover. Here are some reccomendations :
But you can also use regular serif fonts and certain calligraphy fonts to make your cover!
3. Go monochrome
If you're a beginner, I highly reccomend you make your pictures black and white since it makes it look scarier and gloomy, which is the vibe we're going for.
Just go to filter > adjust color > grayscale
You can also mix red into the cover, especially if the story involves killing and a lot of blood.
*again, this rule is not a must.
4. Blur Frame is your friend
Can you notice the difference?
Again, our goal here is to make it dark and gloomy, so making a dark frame around the cover really changes the atmostphere.
To activate it, simply go to filter > frame > blur frame.
5. Get inspired
Making a horror cover is hard, at least for me, so try finding inspiration on the internet!
6. Find a reference
If you're making a minimalist horror cover, you can either :
• use someone else's artwork (credit them!)
• start from scratch
• have a reference
For example, you want to draw a creepy cabin, but you can't draw it freehand so you can just search Pinterest and then use that picture as a guide for you to draw.
But if you're illustrations are more simpler, I suggest you draw it from scratch :
*it's a lil' wonky :') but very simple. All I did was just draw stairs and a thicc stickman holding a flashlight.
That's it for today!
○ n o t e s ●
- I'm not an expert in horror so, sorry to disappoint ya'll :')
- this book has more reads than the one in my old account, I'm so proud ya'll :')
- fonts : all of it is listed above + century gothic
- original pics :