It's disgustingly hot here (if it's under 93 degrees where you live, let me know where that is so I can move immediately. If it's over 93, let me know where you are too so I can avoid it ;-)), so I have an indoor kind of weekend ahead of me. *basks in the air conditioning*
One of my recent projects was a young adult post-apocalyptic series, a genre that had me really excited because I haven't done many covers in the way of post-apocalyptic or dystopian designs, and you guys know how much I love a new kind of challenge. When I know a book is going to be a part of a series, my overall design process takes a different path than with standalone covers as I need to make sure what I create for the first book has adaptability and branding potential moving forward. I want to make sure each book in the series fits with one another while still making a strong statement on its own, so with the Virus series author RJ Crayton and I spent quality time in the planning process figuring out just how we would connect each book visually.
RJ new she wanted a more symbol-focused design, a strong focal point in the middle that would stay the same book to book while the color scheme and textures would change to reflect each individual story. Given Concealed and Exposed both dealt with a viral outbreak and its aftermath, the biohazard symbol seemed like the perfect fit – a bold warning to catch the eye and hopefully intrigue enough to make readers want to know more.
I wanted to share both covers today so you could see how they worked together as a pair, and stay tuned for book three, Contained, in the coming months! I hope you guys love how they turned out:)
They said it was extremely hard to get.
They said it wasn’t airborne.
They said there was nothing to fear.
They were wrong.
Seventeen-year-old Elaan Woodson was supposed to be one of the lucky ones. She got one of the few spots in the subterranean protection unit designed to keep select scientists, military officials and their families safe from the deadly virus ravaging the world above.
But, how lucky are you really when the people in charge and those you love keep secrets from you?
While Elaan has heard that what you don’t know can’t hurt you, she’s beginning to think otherwise. And she should…
Goodreads • Amazon
The safety of the underground bunker is left behind. Elaan and her friends are out in the open, exposed to the world above. Exposed to a world that has been ravished by the virus. Can they make it to the one person they've been told can provide them safety?
Find RJ:
You can check out more of my design work at Seedlings Design Studio!
I love these, Jenny! I really enjoy when a series has a fixed image to associate with it and has a cover trend, so this is so eye-catching and perfect! I'd definitely pick these two up in a bookstore, based on the covers alone. Lovely work, dear--I am so impressed by your talent! <3
ReplyDeleteMove here! Here it's cold, sigh
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool cover! It would definitely catch my eye at the book store. Great job, Jenny! We are having a heat wave here as well. I am definitely breaking out the kiddie pool today. ha. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh, looooove. These books sound like my kind of thing to read, Jenny! I have to check them out. It's a temperate 23 C here - perfection. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love that you kept the symbols. And I can definitely tell from the change in colors and textures that book 2 is probably more brutal.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some nicer weather this weekend, Jenny!
LOVE these^^ I'm a fan of covers with symbols and these really fit with the post-apocalyptic genre! I agree, you can tell that the next book seems even more vicious than the first one! Awesome work my friend ♥
ReplyDeleteYou continue to impress Jenny. Your creative muscles keep flexing!! Well done and very appropriate for the genre.
ReplyDeleteI saw these covers when I was looking at your site earlier this week, Jenny, and I have to say... I adore them. <3
ReplyDeleteYou are so unbelievably talented Jenny!!
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent as a pair. Perfect for a viral outbreak. The first really speaks of a barrier and the second one really says exposed to me. Oh these do peak my interest.
ReplyDeleteOooh, love! Don't move to Florida - 98 today with a heat index of 108!
ReplyDeleteI really love the evolution of the second cover
ReplyDeleteOh I love these Jenny, they are so different from the sort of covers you usually do and I love a variety in style of design too. Have a great cool weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the covers match the story perfectly! This series sounds like something I'd like, even being YA. :)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who ADORES cover design, but always bungles her own covers (NaNoWriMo, nothing professional) - TEACH ME, MASTER!
ReplyDeleteThese are honestly SO eye-catching. I'd DEFINITELY reach for a book with either of those covers in a bookstore. And that, really, says it all.
- Lexie
Oh, Jenny, these are gorgeous! Obviously challenges are very good for you. I love how you played with different colors and textures, but the overall theme remains the same. Fabulous job, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou'll definitely want to stay away from here. It's in the 100s here. Oh yeah, I love how they keep with the same focal point, but change like that. Really cool.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Jenny, these are amazing and have such a strenght in the simplicity!!
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