Manga Cover Design Tips
- Posted by Johanna on January 10, 2006 at 2:13 pm
- Category: Manga News
Telophase has a fascinating analysis of manga cover design. She looks at the top five and bottom five sellers from a particular month and notes the importance of central figures, readable logos (even at small sizes), and character faces as clear focal points. Any comic creator should keep these points in mind.
January 10, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Mmmm, interesting. Here, see if my new upcoming cover passes that test:
SMALL
REGULAR SIZE
January 11, 2006 at 9:45 am
The title isn’t readable as a thumbnail unless you already know what it says, at least not with these old eyes.
January 11, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Hmmm… applying the article’s principles to the small picture, I think the color choices are eye-catching and warm with high contrast (good), the central figure is strong (good), but that there could be more emphasis on the face (especially eyes) and I agree that the title blends into itself. It’s all those verticals in “LITTL”, I think.
That was fun, thanks for volunteering!
January 11, 2006 at 4:44 pm
[…] Lyle @ Crocodile Caucus hassome additional comments on manga design, looking at spine layout and title issues. […]
January 11, 2006 at 5:27 pm
The odd thing is that of the 10 covers shown, I like the Nana one best. It drew my eyes when I saw it on the shelf, as it was pretty and different from the other covers.
Mr. Sizer, I agree with the others on her eyes not being very expressive. I sort of wonder if the colors are a bit too reserved though. Those colors are the same as many of the bookshelves in the stores I shop, so I fear it’ll blend.
(great to hear about a LWM Omnibus though, since I missed the second mini)
January 12, 2006 at 4:23 pm
James, I commented over at Telophase’s LJ that the Nana cover pops when its displayed with other manga titles because it’s style is so different from everything surrounding it. I’m not sure if that particular image gives you the right idea of what to expect within the covers, however.
Along those lines, I really like the covers for Death Note (though volume 3 is awful) the design, while using many elements that Telophase identifies as effective, include a few atypical design elements. (And I’ve been looking at this title since the Union Square Borders began carrying untranslated copies.)
October 23, 2007 at 3:33 am
mmm all I can say was Nana was a unique one! I can’t really say anything else since I’m just a newbie (I’m 13 :P) and I’m kinda nervous in creating my manga cover since you all make a big fuss about the cover…isn’t the content/story the one that draws people in?
I kinda need some advice for my manga cover since I’ll be turning my novel’s first book into a manga to read my novel please go to my website
comments and criticism / suggestions are very welcome coz hey I’m not too old to learn anything new :P
October 23, 2007 at 7:32 am
I believe the content will keep people coming back or cause them to recommend a book to their friends, but the cover is what catches their eye first.
October 23, 2007 at 8:56 am
oohhh…okay! I kinda made my cover, can you tell me if it’s okay? If it’s not a bother I mean…
link: http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p144/ruka_akatsuki/cover.png
October 23, 2007 at 9:46 pm
At first glance, it looks like a “how to” advice book. Maybe on getting over divorce.
For comics, I like to see how the artist draws figures, so it’s surprising not to see a person or character on the cover.
On a practical level, the title blends into the tree. There should be more contrast between the lettering and the background so people can instantly see what the title is.
October 24, 2007 at 1:21 am
actually you’re right…it is a “how to” advice book in a very strange way…
I know the title blends with the tree…>.
October 24, 2007 at 1:22 am
but I’ll keep on trying thanks for the advice lol!
October 24, 2007 at 1:25 am
btw, since I’m a novelist I’m used to creating mysterious pics as covers to make people think about the story at first glance…I guess manga covers are a whole lot different! LOL
October 24, 2007 at 3:32 am
ok I made a new one tell me what you think : http://kanzenatsume.deviantart.com/art/Simple-Serenity-Try-Again-68096639
:D
October 24, 2007 at 6:51 am
I think it gives a better idea of your target audience, that it’s manga, and that it’s fantasy. But that’s just my opinion.
October 25, 2007 at 4:57 am
so does it look better or not? please answer
November 22, 2007 at 10:45 pm
much better, but,well,honestly if it’s going to be a manga then don’t let the illustration look like anime, which is what most americans do, seeing as anime and manga go hand in hand they seem to put them together. They’re not the same style! there’s a huge difference.
P.S maybe it’s just me who can’t stand seeing the beautiful world of manga destroyed by american audiences, then they go and publish something like dramacon which only mocs the manga world with it’s poorly drawn characters and lacking sense of perspective.
November 23, 2007 at 7:53 am
Oh, pooh. Dramacon doesn’t mock, it’s a loving portrayal of the ups and downs of fandom. And it’s far from “poorly drawn”. It’s terrific.
November 23, 2007 at 3:50 pm
well…I think I’m gonna revise a bit more, and HELLO! I’m doing my OWN VISUAL NOVEL, MY OWN STYLE. I don’t care what THEIR STYLE LOOKS LIKE. It’s my originality LOL, I’m not a follwer hahahaha.
November 23, 2007 at 3:53 pm
PLUS! I WANT/ASPIRE/DESIRE/DREAM for it to be produced as a cartoon or anime becuase I know that TV affects audiences more than book do. That’s why I’m turning my novel to a visual grpahic one. :P
sorry…I’m in a bad mood.
May 9, 2008 at 8:18 am
ummmm….. i am making a manga now, and i am only 5th grade. me and my other two friends draw with me. we are making a manga. wat kind of prgram that is free that i could use? how do i make a cover? how do i make a script? wat materials do i need? can you please please help me?
May 10, 2008 at 8:17 am
I suggest going to your library and checking out some books on creating manga. They should be able to answer your questions.