Book Cover Design: 10 Trends Of 2015

As a book critic, I went through Germany's 2015 releases, January to June. Here are 50+ amazing or horrible covers I found. And 10 big trends of book cover design!

1. Trend 01: Amazing Light

Via Amazon.de

photographs. strong contrasts. light!

if these 2015 releases are half as atmospheric as their covers, they will be wonderful.

2. Trend 02: Sad America

Via Amazon.de

We Germans love US fiction, and I'm happy to see that titles like "California" and "We are not ourselves" have already been translated for German readers. But most of these covers look kinda... dour. Are the United States in trouble?

3. Trend 03: Black Background - striking contrast

Via Amazon.de

I especially love the Tom Liehr cover. the literal translation is "All-Night Gas Station". I'm also glad that "Wolfsland" did not alter or maniplate the wolf's eyes to make them eerie or sparkly.

4. Trend 04: Huge Cities, Huge Typeface

Via Amazon.de

I hope there'll be more: monumental buildings and monumental letters go really well together!

5. Trend 05: Weird Retro Women

Via Amazon.de

charming! I hope these books' female characters deliver: they look quirky, fierce, unique and slightly unsettling. I'm unhappy about the too-pink German cover for Maria Semple's amazing "Where did you go, Bernadette?", though.

6. Trend 06: Small Happy Dots

Via Amazon.de

energetic narratives, a feel-good atmosphere, maybe a little melancholic: I like these dots. and apparently, you don't need more than 3 oranges (and a round "a"-logo) to create this playful, bouncy mood.

7. Trend 07: Big, Omnious Dots

Via Amazon.de

dramatic, painterly, flag-like. it's fun to see how all these circles have similar sizes. is that the optimum size for a circle on a book crver?

8. Trend 08: Birds and Mortality

Via Amazon.de

"You will die. And your essence and the memories you left with other people will scatter like a flock of birds" ...is that the line of though behind these covers?

9. Trend 09: Weird Animals

Via Amazon.de

goofy animals seem to telegraph: "here comes a unique book - with a unique tone." I especially like the nonsensical (?) "mussle rose" - and the juxtaposition "Monster" - "Sea Lion"

10. Trend 10: Understatement.

Via Amazon.de

these colours are common for Historical Novels. or very serious nonfiction. But it's fun to see how self-confident and "classic" these new releases look already - in contrast to all their loud, busy, colorful competitors.

11. Bonus: Instagram-inspired Covers

Via Amazon.de

these look like they came right out of Instagram. I saw another German book that used the "Low" photo of the bare-assed diver [shot by Ryan McGinley] before, but I can't remember where.

12. Bonus: Sexy Covers

Via Amazon.de

Here are 5 of the raciest (or: tackiest?) 2015 covers I found.

13. Bonus: Little Boxes

Via Amazon.de

many houses. lots of characters. inner-city ennui. okay: I get it.

14. Bonus: Waves! Swimmers! The Ocean!

Via Amazon.de

This is not a 2015 trend because let's face it: EVERY book sells better if it features the sea. Readers love water, and books with strong settings.

15. Bonus: Photoshop... disasters?

Via Amazon.de

okay publishers - nevermind. I don't think these books were meant for me, anyways.

16. Bonus: Asian clichès

Via Amazon.de

are we still doing this? do we have to? really? :-(

17. Bonus: "Come on - it's just a little trouble with my hip."

Via Amazon.de

If non-Germans wonder what Germans might read... I think they picture THIS book.

18. Bold Typography, Popping Colours: These are my personal favorites.

Via Amazon.de

these are good-looking books. good job, publishers! can't wait to buy and read these.