Foster Cover book cover design

Before: The book is a guide to habits that help you maintain health and live longer but this looks like a brochure in your dentist’s office. The author looks great, but the white coat and toothbrush are too literal when combined with the title. Did I mention the background color evokes dingy teeth? This impairs the book’s meaning — and appeal.

After: The overall color scheme is fresh and clean. The book’s promise (“Stay Young”) is now properly emphasized in bold red type, centered and framed by a bright sunflower. Notice the flower, toward the center, starts to glow like the sun. This increases its energy. Viewers respond more positively without knowing exactly why. This is the power of metaphor.