Why We Should Judge a Book by Its Cover

For as long as I can remember, I’ve surrounded myself with like-minded, creative people.

No matter the art form or outlet, I’ve often found companionship in other artistic communities. Following an adolescence making life-long friends in theatre, I found solace in the peers I worked with on my college’s literary-arts magazine.

Luckily, I befriended two incredibly talented graphic designers who inevitably became my roommates and then my best friends. I enjoy that my editorial side is like the “tails” to their “heads,” since they often despise the writing assignments I loved as a student. I, on the other hand, am not as well-versed in design or placement, and I oftentimes ask for their hyper-observant eye to scan my visuals so that everything looks pleasing.

I recently had a conversation with one of my graphic designer friends about judging books by their covers. I, as a literary fanatic and an aesthetic junkie (you should see my room), have always questioned the phrase “never judge a book by its cover.” As much as we take this phrase and run with it in our everyday lives, I’ve come to find that everyone judges books by their covers.

Humans are simple creatures. We see something shiny, colorful, or unique, and curiosity yanks on our attention like a dog on a chain. I believe that’s why we’re so wrapped up in our phones; something new and exciting is just a click away, ready for our brains to soak up something fresh that will make us feel alive.

The other day, I was browsing through my third place: Barnes & Noble. Along the colorful spines, shelves, and tables of novel pyramids, I concluded: I really do judge books by their covers, and I think society should know that.

Here’s my thought process: In the modern age, presentation is everything. It’s how you dress, how you speak, how you present your work, how you set up your profile online, how often you post, what you post, how you can sell yourself by looking as desirable as possible to a potential employer, a first date, an old friend, or maybe even a future in-law.

As somebody trying to dip their toes into a writing career, I’ve learned that people can and will criticize you for things you don’t expect them to. My resume has been turned inside out several times within the past year, according to AI standards, differing positions, requirements, etc. I found out halfway through the year that my resume was NOT going to pass AI scans, and I had to transform it into something dull and boring to get my name on somebody’s desk, just for them to decide I don't have that "flare" they're looking for.

In the midst of this, I was told that portfolio websites are supposed to be simple and concise, and it’s pushed me to question what people are really looking for. Are people scared of color and originality these days? Why are we agreeing with the idea that to be successful, you must blend in with everyone else when that’s the opposite of what we should be doing?

I have a designer friend who was hired to create a logo for someone in the music industry looking to solidify their brand. My friend took all of the ideas she was given and created something colorful, unique, and completely its own. Unfortunately, her client sent note after note, asking her to strip it of any originality. It inevitably turned into something that looked like it could be anyone else’s logo. This got us talking about people’s fear of being unique.

As creators, we tend to hold ourselves back because of what people tell us. We dress something up just for a “professional” to ask us to tear it down. However, as an observer, I am drawn to the big and the bold. Going back to my time in the bookstore, I found that I was drawn to novels with strong illustrations, unique designs, and emphasis emphasis emphasis…

If I don’t look at a cover and see a little window into the book’s premise, I don’t see any use in buying it. Covers should be compelling, eye-catching, and should hint at the story they’re enticing you to read. It’s like going into an interview; you dress the way you wish to be perceived. Books should be held to the same standard. Brands should be as well. And yet, I see so many basic book covers and graphics that don’t tell me a thing about a backstory or a tale hidden within.

I believe this all comes down to the fear of standing out. Individualism is dwindling as people focus on blending into trends, patterns, and what they’ve always known.

The great thing about surrounding yourself with creatives is that they push you outside of the norm. They encourage you to be bold, be unique, be different. Who cares what sells more if you’re restricting yourself and holding creativity back? Walk the line between not enough and too much, and there you will find your creative genius.

Individuals who find the success I’m looking for are those dedicated to their craft or niche. That is the root of success: to keep coming up with unique concepts to display your artistic expression, and people will gravitate toward your work.

Unless you want to be stuck in a corporate job for the rest of your life, ditch the advice to hold yourself back. Be an ever-flowing well of imagination and creative ideas. Be uncomfortable and make mistakes. Turn into the person you never thought you could be, the person who’d design an intricate book cover in a store full of plain-text sleeves and simple floral borders.

Keep selling yourself the way you want to be perceived, or else you will lose sight of your creative genius and will become just like everyone else. This world needs individuality, and it needs artists who aren’t afraid to take risks. Only when you start judging books by their covers can you fully grasp the need to decorate your own with the hues of who you are and what you wish to create.