The project included the complete cover design: visual concept development, author portrait composition, historical coin motif integration, typography, front cover, spine and back cover layout, publisher logo placement, and print-ready file preparation based on the printer’s technical specifications.

Project overview

The aim of the project was to create a distinctive cover for a historical book devoted to the origins of the Polish state and the era of the first Piast rulers. The publication is structured as a series of conversations between Szymon Słodowy and invited experts, so the design needed to combine a strong historical character with the author’s recognisable image and a contemporary, accessible visual style.

The cover brings together several visual layers: the history of Poland, the symbolism of the first Piast dynasty, the educational nature of the publication and the author’s role as the host of the conversations. My goal was to create a design that feels elegant and monumental, while remaining clear, engaging and suitable for a contemporary printed edition.

The central element of the composition is a portrait of Szymon Słodowy with a microphone, emphasising the interview-based and popular-history character of the book. The historical context is reinforced through the use of a medieval coin motif, classical typography and a dark, restrained colour palette inspired by a library interior.

My role

• Full book cover design
• Visual concept development
• Front cover composition
• Author portrait preparation and retouching
• Library background development
• Historical coin motif integration
• Typography selection and refinement
• Spine design
• Back cover layout
• Publisher logo and technical element placement
• Print-ready file preparation
• Working with the printer’s technical specifications
• Final artwork preparation in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator

Full cover design

The project was created as a complete wraparound book cover, including the front cover, spine and back cover. All elements were developed as one coherent composition, with a consistent visual language, typography and colour palette across the entire printed edition.

The front cover is built around a centrally positioned portrait of the author, combined with a dark, softly blurred library background. The large classical title and the medieval coin motif reinforce the historical subject of the book and create a clear visual hierarchy.

The spine continues the visual style of the front cover and includes the title, author’s name and publisher logo. The back cover was designed using the same typography and colour palette, with space for the book description, publishing information and barcode. The final artwork was prepared as a print-ready file in accordance with the printer’s technical requirements.

Visual concept

The visual concept combines the atmosphere of historical publications with a contemporary portrait-based cover design. The dark library background creates a serious, intellectual setting and immediately connects the book with research, knowledge and the interpretation of the past. Its softly blurred appearance keeps the composition atmospheric without distracting from the author and the title.

The portrait of Szymon Słodowy forms the central point of the cover. His direct gaze, leather jacket and visible microphone introduce a modern, recognisable element and emphasise his role as a populariser of history and host of conversations with experts. This contrast between the contemporary figure and the traditional setting reflects the book’s main idea: presenting the history of the first Piasts in an accessible and engaging form for today’s reader.

The medieval coin incorporated into the title acts as both a historical symbol and a distinctive graphic detail. Monumental serif typography, metallic textures and a restrained palette of black, warm brown, silver and cream give the cover a timeless, authoritative character. The final composition was designed to feel historical and substantial, while remaining clear, modern and visually connected to the author’s media activity.

Other versions of the project

Typography

I selected the typefaces and arranged the typography for the title, subtitle, author name, spine and back cover text. The typography was chosen to support the historical and literary tone of the book, while remaining readable in print.

The title was designed to be strong and decorative, with a classic character. The subtitle uses a softer style to create contrast and emphasize the emotional tone of the book. The back cover typography was arranged to stay readable and balanced within the ornamental frame.

Print preparation

The final cover was prepared according to the printer’s technical layout. The project was based on the required cover spread dimensions, including the back cover, spine, front cover, wrap areas and print-safe margins.

The print file was prepared for a hardback edition with a rounded spine. I adjusted the layout to the required full cover format, spine width, board thickness and wrap areas, making sure that important elements remained inside the safe zones and that the composition worked correctly after printing and binding.

Technical setup included:

• Full cover format: 342 × 245 mm
• Book block format: 140 × 205 mm
• Spine width: 22 mm
• Board thickness: 2.5 mm
• Wrap area: 14.5 mm
• Rounded spine
• Complete print layout: back cover, spine and front cover

3D Mockup

Photos of the printed book

Key takeaway

This project combined creative and technical design work: illustration, cover composition, typography, branding and print preparation. The main challenge was to create a visually rich and decorative cover while keeping the structure clear, readable and technically correct for printing.

The project also shows my ability to work from a printer’s technical specification and prepare a complete cover file, not only a front design.

Tools

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Krita
• Graphic tablet