Book Design - The Search for Aurangzeb's Stone

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Cover Design options for the book 'The search for Aurangzeb's stone"

Publisher - Vishwakarma Publications
Author - Madan Sabnavis

The book is a mystery / historical thriller which focuses of 5 main characters and their hunt for the mysterious 'Stone' of Aurangzeb. The author wanted the 'stone' to imply multiple things so as to keep the readers guessing (is it a monument, a precious stone, a memorial stone?).

Opt 1 is inspired by the style Mughal paintings and depicts the 5 main characters looking for something mysterious.

Opt 2 depicts the Silhouette of the 5 characters walking in the forest with bags / backpacks, The light acts as headlights leading them towards the treasure - the search for the precious artefact (stone - diamond? ). The colour & lighting is kept quite dark to retain the sense of mystery & thrill with Gold text apt for treasure hunt.

Opt 3 (below) is the one that was selected. The cover depicts a mysterious mughal style building, with a map overlayed on it to denote a treasure hunt. The imagery of mughal mahal is a collage of two mid-journey generated mughal style building, edited on photoshop. I then edited the map & added textures to give a historical touch.

I have been designing Book Covers for Vishwakarma Publications. The author & Publisher approach with a brief & a story synopsis. Then based on the essence of the book, the genre, and the author's intent, I design the cover. The process is a great exercise in creative visualisation and thinking & requires my skills in Typography, Colour theory, Layout Design & Visual Design.