PAPER CUTS 2014
Book Cover Design Competition for
Secondary Schools
ENTRY GUIDELINES AND TIPS
We are inviting all Victorian secondary school
students to submit a book cover design for the
chance to win $200 worth of Penguin books
(recommended retail) for their school. The winning
student will also receive $200 worth of Penguin
books (recommended retail) and a brand new
Apple iPad air.
All entrants should use this sheet as a guide
when developing their book cover design.
Book Cover Design
The front cover of a book can be the first page of the story, because it is here that the book can communicate a
little of the style and mood of the tale inside. A good book cover should capture our attention and make us want
to pick up it up immediately.
The design of a book cover sparks interest in reading the back cover summary and speaks to the emotions of
the reader, engaging them on a deeper lever, and setting the stage for whether or not the reader will like the
book in the first place.
The popular saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is true but many students are likely to pick up a book that
has an inviting cover that appeals to them. This competition is an opportunity to stimulate the minds of reluctant
readers. It is an alternative way for them to visually present the central characters, themes and interests of a
book and produce a product they can share with others. The challenge is for entrants to design an inviting book
cover so that readers want to read the book immediately.
To create your book cover you can choose your favourite book or a book from the PRC booklist.
Below are steps to create a book cover.

Choose a book

Read the book

Analyse the book - what was good, unique, interesting, etc – list/brainstorm/ create a mind map

Draw, sketch and create visuals - that represent your interests, issues, feelings and important points

Review your design – with teachers, friends and other students

Create the book cover
Things you should know about book covers
The importance of a book cover design has prompted many big publishers to come up with different covers that
cater to different markets, unique cultures and personalities.
The front cover of a book creates preconceptions in a reader’s mind about what the setting and the characters
will be about. A well-designed cover is the first impression to a reader that the book may be interesting or not.
The cover can either scare away a customer or appeal to them.
Poor book cover designs, that have pixelated images, badly formatted text and that are too cluttered, suggest to
the reader that the interior of the book will be equally messy. When a cover design is poorly produced it can
make the reader criticise the book without even reading the back summary. A book cover that is well designed
gives the reader an enjoyable visual impression at first glance.
Great cover designs need to draw the reader’s attention, engage them on an emotional level, and suggest the
tone and style of what’s inside. Book covers showcase the quality of the book itself while taking in the
expectations of the reader. This is a big task and one that could be a deciding factor in making a book a bestseller.
While developing a book cover keep in mind that content is the focus. Encourage students to use and explore
technology creatively. Technology is a means for students to explore a variety of literacies and a way of
communicating their response to their reading. Make sure that you look for content that shows that the student
has read and interpreted the book.
Use of technology will of course depend on accessibility. Book covers can be created in any media. You can
paint, illustrate, photograph and use imagery and software programs.
Criteria for developing a great book cover
Finalists will be published on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s website. To
create a book cover that is inspiring, you need to have the right balance of words and visual elements to capture
your audience’s attention.
Below are some criteria for creating a memorable and effective book cover.
1. Say it visually Paint, draw or design your book cover to express how you feel about the book. When you
create your book cover, you can use art such as photos, illustrations, clip art, shapes, etc. Make sure your
visuals relate to your story.
2. Be simple but effective. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. However, when designing a book
cover, do not throw in an image for the sake of including an image. This may damage your book covers
effectiveness. Make sure your design is not too cluttered and use images that are relevant to the story.
3. Impressive design. Audiences won’t remember a book cover that doesn’t gain their attention at first
glance. You need to make it easy for them with eye-capturing artwork. Your book cover should be able to sit
on the shelves of a bookstore.
4. Use of colour. Make sure you use colours that don’t clash.
5. Use of a headline. You must include the title and author of the book. Make sure the main title is strong and
bold so that the reader notices it. If you choose to a use supporting headline make sure your keep it short –
no more than 10 words.
6. Be creative and learn by example. One of the best ways to learn how to create a book cover is to learn
what's out there. Review the current cover design of your book selection. What captures your attention?
What do you like / dislike? How does the design match the story? Do the graphics capture your attention?
7. Grab their attention within the first second. Use visuals that have heart-stopping power! A good book
cover should motivate a person to want to read the book.
8. Balance text and visuals. You need to have the right balance of words and visual elements to capture your
audience’s attention. Make sure the text doesn’t override the visuals and vice versa. You want to be strong
and clear not overly descriptive.
9. Set the mood. Convey the ‘feeling’ of the book. How did you feel when you were reading the book? Were
there certain chapters that made you happy or sad? Were there moments that made you visualise more
than others? Write down a list of emotions that you felt to help you set the mood of the book.
10. Size is important. Your book cover design should not exceed an A4 format.
11. Provide a rationale. In 70 words or less provide a clear rationale that leaves a lasting impression on the
judges. You need to make sure that the information you are writing about is both clear and interesting.
Convey your key points to the judges. You don’t have to use hundreds of words to put across something
that can be conveyed in fifty. Be sure that your content is detailed, but not needlessly long – you don’t want
to overload the judges.
Poster specifications
File format:
File format size:
Compulsories:
Competition dates:
JPEG / GIF / PNG
A4 maximum 2MB
Book title and author should be clearly displayed on the book cover.
Open on April 28 and closes on July 31 2014
The nature of the content is the greatest consideration. See the ‘Judging criteria’ section below.
Judging criteria and process
While originality is encouraged, the judges will give consideration to entrants that use the above criteria
provided (on this sheet) in the development of their book cover.
Entries will be judged by esteemed industry professionals, including celebrated Irish author Eoin Colfer of the
popular teen series Artemis Fowl.
1. Inclusion– book cover must portray the inclusion of the above criteria. Book covers containing most of
the listed key criteria will be viewed favourably.
2. Appeal – overall appeal to the youth target audience.
3. Usability and effectiveness – whether the book cover is appropriate to use within a government
awareness campaign and appropriate to host on the DEECD website.
4. Creativity. The winning design will need to:
- have a striking cover design, an imaginative concept and original interpretation of the book
- be different to the current book cover design
- be executed with strong use of typography
- show a good understanding of the marketplace
- have a point of difference from the many other book covers it is competing against
5. Adherence to Terms and Conditions – must comply with the competition terms and conditions.
Shortlisted entrants will be contacted by telephone and/or email prior to being listed on the Departmental
website in August, 2014.