Why You Judge Every Book by Its Cover (And Why It Matters)

Every book begins with a story, but readers see the cover first. In this episode of the Art School Graduate Podcast, we sit down with Dominique Jones, Senior Designer at Penguin Random House and founder of Blk + Brwn Book Designers, to explore the hidden craft behind book cover design. Dominique shares how she entered publishing, what goes into creating covers that connect emotionally, working with bestselling authors, balancing creativity with client feedback, and why increasing diversity in publishing design matters more than ever. Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, creative professional, student, or simply someone who loves books, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the most overlooked creative careers. Topics include: Book cover design process Graphic design careers Penguin Random House Publishing industry Typography and visual storytelling Creativity and design thinking Blk + Brwn Book Designers Diversity in publishing Graphic design education Building a creative career Subscribe for more conversations with the artists and designers shaping culture.