Sandra Nomoto: Book Cover & Promotional Graphics
Project Info
Year
Type
Roles
Tools
Overview
Sandra Nomoto, a Vancouver-based copywriter and author, was preparing to launch Vegan Marketing Success Stories, a collection of insights and case studies from plant-based brands around the world. She wanted a colourful, fruit-and-vegetable inspired design that reflected the book’s fresh, positive tone—and stood out in both bookstores and media placements.
Challenge
Design a standout book cover that visually reflects the niche subject of vegan marketing while feeling bright, professional, and resonant with the target audience. The cover needed to work well across digital and print, including spines on retail shelves.
Goals
- Make the book instantly recognizable on crowded bookshelves and online platforms
- Use vibrant colour and fresh imagery to reflect the vegan ethos
- Incorporate produce illustrations to anchor the theme in visual storytelling
Concept
- Vibrant & Approachable: Colourful produce illustrations paired with a clean white background bring energy and warmth to the minimalist layout.
- Shelf Standout: A white cover—less common in the category—was strategically chosen to help the book pop on crowded shelves.
- Spine Impact: The colourful spine adds visual interest and ensures visibility from all angles.
- Human Touch: A custom handwritten element infuses personality and reinforces the book’s story-driven tone.
Approach
- Exploratory Start: We developed three initial concepts blending plant-based imagery with marketing-savvy design.
- Art Direction: Cutouts of fruits and vegetables in bold colours brought a playful, organic feel to a structured layout.
- High Visibility: A clean white background was selected to let the vibrant palette shine and stand out on shelves.
- Personal Touch: The word “stories” features the author’s own handwriting—selected from dozens of samples for its warmth and authenticity.
Results
- Acclaimed Launch: The book debuted in 2022 to glowing praise, including frequent compliments on the cover, and was featured live on Global News BC.
- Strategic Art Direction: The cover design brought warmth and professionalism to the forefront—amplifying Sandra’s message while staying true to her existing brand.
- Opportunities Unlocked: The book’s strong visual presence contributed to Sandra receiving speaking invitations and podcast features across dozens of online communities.
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"I hired Joy in the spring of 2022 to design the cover for my book, Vegan Marketing Success Stories. [...] I can tell you working with her was an absolute DREAM — and I've worked with some great graphic & web designers in the past. [...] Joy not only presented 3 options for packages but came up with 3 mockups, outlined key deadlines, stayed in communication with me constantly, and provided 14(!) bonus graphics I could use for promotional purposes. When my first proof copy wasn't all that perfect, she encouraged me to wait until I got the next copy before taking photos—a testament to her care for quality. I am THRILLED with how my book cover turned out and having additional graphics support took one less thing off my plate. I'd hire Joy in a heartbeat again, especially if you want a pro who cares about your work just as much as you do."
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