Book Cover Illustration and Design

Book Cover Art

Illustration and design by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Old Growth Books

I illustrated and designed the full cover, including the spine and back, for A Bone In Her Teeth by Ann McAllister Clark. The novel follows a woman unjustly accused by her brother and cast out from her home in the bitter cold of Michigan. She finds herself in St. Augustine, Florida, where the warm climate is matched by intrigue, deception, art theft, and even murder. Thrust into the middle of these events at Safety Harbor Marina and Thoberry’s Bookshop, Anna quickly becomes an unwitting sleuth navigating a world of danger and intrigue. For those unfamiliar with sailing terms, “a bone in her teeth” is a nautical phrase that inspired the book’s title.

The client provided an initial concept for the cover composition, which allowed the design process to move efficiently. I created the illustration using Adobe Illustrator, combining vector techniques with hand-drawn sketches for reference and detail. During the process, the cover was expanded to wrap seamlessly around the spine and back, ensuring a cohesive, professional presentation for print and digital formats.

Typography was treated as an integral part of the illustration, with select lettering designed to appear as though it had been sharply scratched into the cover, enhancing the novel’s suspenseful and edgy tone. The result is a visually striking cover that captures both the story’s drama and its unique sense of place.

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS:

WORK DONE IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR:

ABOUT COVER ILLUSTRATIONS:

There is a well-known saying that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but in reality, people do. If you have invested time, money, and creative energy into a book, magazine, or other publication, having a strong, eye-catching cover is essential. Authors and publishers often tell me that my cover illustrations have helped sell more copies than the content alone, opening doors to readers who might not have discovered the work otherwise. While this may seem surprising, it underscores the importance of compelling visual storytelling in capturing attention and communicating ideas at a glance.

Illustration offers unique advantages over photography for cover design. While photography can be a powerful choice in certain situations, illustration allows for the clear depiction of abstract concepts, fictional settings, or ideas that cannot be photographed. It also provides complete control over color, lighting, and composition, down to precise digital detail. This flexibility allows each cover to convey mood, tone, and narrative in a way that is fully tailored to the content it represents.

Over the years, I have created cover illustrations for books, magazines, and a wide variety of publications. The earliest work currently displayed on my site is the 2011 cover for Phillip Singer: An Accounting, which was hand-painted in oil, photographed, and then completed digitally using Illustrator and Photoshop. Today, most of my cover illustrations are produced entirely digitally, with a focus on vector-based techniques that ensure crisp, clean, and scalable designs suitable for print or digital media.

Each cover I create is designed to capture attention, communicate the story, and elevate the publication's visual identity. Whether for a book, magazine, or other creative project, my illustrations combine artistry, precision, and concept-driven design to make a memorable first impression that engages audiences and enhances the overall impact of the work.

PORTFOLIOS

• Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
• Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
• Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
• Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
• Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
• Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
• Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.