John and Chip

Chip Kidd, a Penn State graduate, began his career working in the art department of Knopf in 1986. He is a book cover designer who has published over 1500 book jackets. He has designed for HarperCollins, Penguin, Scribner, and more. He believes that, "Whether or not we know it, we all judge a book by its cover. Its role is to communicate not only what the book is about, but who will enjoy reading it. There is a subliminal language of images and typography that speaks directly to the subconscious mind of the potential book buyer." These words and his innovative designs make him a celebrated artist, known as “the world’s greatest book-jacket designer” and someone who we can learn a great deal from when it comes to creative book design.








Index: the color red and sharp object suggest danger.

Index: the running ink on this page suggests water but is contrasted by the title "Dry."


John Gall was born in 1963. He attended Rutgers University. He has worked for Vintage and Anchor Books. Gall uses a “simple but elegant use of typography” and “plays with the perceptions of the viewer.” His use of different medium, like collage and photography, give him a unique style in which he can “convey the essence of the book in a unique and surprising way that maybe pushes the design envelope a bit.” We can learn how to incorporate our own style into a set of rules to develop a fine finished product.
Index: the torn pages suggest frustration or anger. However, a pragmatic individual would not tear out the pages of a book.