The Mortal Instruments

The influence of cover and editorial design on book purchases

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the influence of editorial graphic design, especially book covers, on book purchases. To achieve this, it employed bibliographic research on book design and editorial design, based on authors such as White (2006), Haslam (2010), Hendel (2006), and Lima (2017). As a methodology, qualitative and quantitative research was conducted with general readers and specific readers of the analyzed work to understand their purchasing behavior. Based on this, it was possible to observe that illustrations, typography, and colors are the elements that most influence readers regarding the cover. Additionally, it was also identified that there are elements beyond the cover that can influence purchasing decisions, such as the synopsis and recommendations. The result of this research is an understanding of the key graphic elements that make a difference in a book’s graphic design, particularly its cover.