The Ember Crown
An epic fantasy concept with a hand-built emblem
What the concept set out to do
Create a cover for book one of a fantasy series. It needs an emblem that can carry across the series, an atmosphere of fire and night, and a title treatment that still works when book two and three sit beside it.
Design decisions
- A crown of flame inside a ring of light gives the series a mark that can change colour per book while staying recognisable.
- The palette is deep violet against gold, chosen because the two sit far apart on a store page full of blue and black fantasy covers.
- Title and series line are set in a wide serif with generous tracking, which reads as classic rather than gaming.
- Fine particle texture is kept subtle so the printed cover does not band or look noisy.
Series thinking at the concept stage, so the second book does not force a redesign of the first.
Deliverables shown in this concept
- Front cover concept
- Series emblem
- Two palette variants for later volumes
Books A Nation's contribution to a studio concept is the whole design: concept, typography and artwork. For client books, our contribution is stated on each project only once the author has confirmed it.
Want this approach on your own book?
Our cover design and illustration service starts with a brief like the one above and ends with files you own.
Related reading: How to prepare a book cover brief your designer can actually use
