University Press Cover Round-Up

We welcome you to another in our ongoing feature in which notable book cover designer Jordan Wannemacher periodically highlights a selection of recent university press cover designs. Please enjoy this celebration of amazing work.

This list is in no particular order. Credits are listed below.

If you are a book cover creative and want your work or the work of your department reviewed by Jordan be sure to get in touch with us!

As with any cover design we feature in our publications, we encourage you to head to your local library and/or bookstore to view the work in its full splendor when possible.

Princeton University Press

Designer: Emily Weigel

Art Director: Jess Massabrook

I love when covers use simple lines or other geometric elements to illustrate something conceptually. This strikingly simple yet powerful cover jumped off the screen at me the first time I saw it. The subtle rich black background gives just enough texture to prevent this from feeling flat and isn't immediately noticeable at first glance, a lovely touch. I'd love to see how this printed in person!

University of Regina Press

Designer and Art Director: Duncan Campbell

This cover is so bold and makes such a statement! The color palette positively vibrates off one another and makes for an unexpected effect for a memoir I am now dying to pick up and read. The cover does an excellent job of illustrating what is (judging by the title) a book about unexpected incongruities and the high contrast in the type illustrates this perfectly.

West Virginia University Press

Designer and Art Director: Than Saffel

I don't know if the heart eye emoji is AP style approved but that is my first reaction looking at this cover. It's so lovely and unusually sensual while at the same time somber. I love how Than uses scale and an economy of color with that large swath of warm "Portland Orange"; the result is a striking outcome.

University of Texas Press

Designer and Art Director: Dustin Kilgore

I love the intimacy we feel through the deliberate crop and soft coloration of this photograph, an important effect for a title such as this. The geographic element is subtly illustrated with the vector overlay without overpowering the image, but still creatively giving this depth and space for typography. This has been on my list for this month ever since I first saw it back in May!

Stanford University Press

Designer: Kevin Kane

Art Director: Rob Ehle

The urban dynamism of this cover makes it clear this essay is not your typical essay on literature. The 3D effect of the type disappearing into the building is unexpected and gives the type kinetic energy. Love!

Columbia University Press

Designer: Noah Arlow

Art Director: Julia Kushnirsky

Full disclosure: I am a sucker for '70s aesthetics and am loving its resurgence on book cover design! It's of course perfectly appropriate for the subject matter here. I love the use of the angled lines giving a conceptual nod to the ideology of leftism and the creative placement of the star. This typeface is also to die for!

University of Chicago Press

Designer: Brian Chartier

Art Director: Jill Shimabukuro

I am sure it was no easy task coming up with an image for gentrification, a concept that is so broad and affects so many aspects of community life. This main-street front door photograph is a perfect choice with its warm color palette and interesting architectural details. I also appreciate the use of the vector signage elements as a call back to old hand-painted signs. Wonderfully executed!

University of Washington Press

Designer and Art Director: Katrina Noble

This is such a lovely illustration giving us so much story in so little space. I am obsessed with the shade of blue used in the background and how it contrasts the restrained coloring of the illustration. The sans serif title has so much subtle personality without distracting from the image but holds the top half of the design up on its own. That "G"!

---