This month, Amanda Reid at Melissa Williams Design reimagines the cover of Adventures in the Charter Trade by indie author David Bond. To submit a book for a free cover redesign, email us at booklifeeditor@booklife.com.

Design Note #1: The photos against a blue wood background establish a more adventurous, nautical feel and add a whimsical flair.

Design Note #2: I wanted the word “Adventures” to stand out the most, so the diagonal angle of the text adds movement and helps the book feel more playful, showing that these are lighthearted stories.

Design Note #3: Adding the subtitle establishes the book as a memoir and tells the reader what they’re diving into. The simple, clean sans-serif font balances well with the more stylized title.

Design Note #4: I decided to place a wavy flag shape behind the less prominent title text to add interest and just a touch of attention-grabbing red.

Original Cover