3D modeling for designing virtual book covers has become popular. Let's talk about 3D book rendering and virtual design trends.

3D Modeling in Design

Using 3D modeling in design is a modern way of deciding how you want a real-life physical item to look. It basically involves creating a 3D representation of something on a screen. So, while you're looking at what a 2D image really is on a computer, it has the dimensions and rendering of a 3D item that you could interact with. Virtual design is a trend in modern design because it is cheap and allows for easy adjustments:

3D modeling is done through software. By using it, you can create a representation of an object and decide on its shape and size, as well as the texture it has. You do this on a computer by adjusting various lines and points on the object and using polygons, which are five-sided shapes.
3D design is often used for generating visual representations of how an object will look so you can pitch it to people without having to make the actual object. You can use this modeling for rendering and designing items (for example, 3D book rendering). The point of 3D modeling is that you can get an idea of what the thing you are making will look like.

There are many 3D modeling software available. You can learn basic skills through video tutorials.

3D modelling in design

Benefits of 3D Modeling in Design

Just why is 3D modeling in design a good way to go? Here are 5 benefits of 3D design and rendering:

It's a more sustainable choice. You don't have to create anything physical and don't waste any paper or plastic.
Using 3D modeling makes it easier to create variations of a design. You can save multiple versions of the same file.
It's easy to make adjustments without having to start the whole design process again. With illustrations, you would have to do a new drawing each time.
3D modeling software allows you to use different styles and designs. You can work with virtual design trends to create a unique look for your 3D book render.
Creating a 3D model allows you to visualize what the physical object will look like in real life easily. With a 2D model, this is more of a challenge.

3D Book Rendering

So, how does this apply to books? One virtual design trend that has become popular is 3D book rendering. This is when you create a virtual book cover using 3D design. The idea is that you don't have to actually make multiple different book covers; you can just have digital representations of them.

It's common for people to draw up mock versions of a book cover for testing. 3D design is the next step in this. By using a 3D design, you can get a sense of what the book cover will look like when it's actually on the real print book. You can see how it wraps around the 3D shapes.

Using 3D design software, you can craft a visual rendering of the front and back of your book, as well as the inside part of the cover. This is useful because you can see how images look when they are on the cover. You can avoid having an image that is too stretched, too small, or pixelated.

As well as this, you can play with the typography and see where you would want to place the words on the book cover. The great thing about doing this on a computer is that you can easily see what different fonts and styles of text look like.

The rendering is all done on a computer, where you are generating a 3D image. You are able to see each part of the book. Most software allows you to do little design tricks like inserting an image into a shape or wrapping text.

What You Need for 3D Book Rendering

3D modeling for designing your book cover requires at least basic software that has 3D capabilities. Canva and Adobe InDesign are two well-known pieces of software that you can use for 3D book rendering. There are plenty of tutorials online that will show you how to use this software, and in fact, most software has a built-in help section or tutorial.

For the actual design itself, you'll need a couple of things. Naturally, you'll need any information you want on the cover. So this would include metadata like the book title, the author's name, and publishing information for the inside cover. As well as this, you will want to have some kind of blurb to put on the back. It's best practice to have these prepared before you start designing. By having the text already typed out, you can just copy and paste it where you want it to go on the cover.

3D Book Rendering

As for images, you'll need to have some that you have the right to. It can be hard to find appropriate images on copyright-free websites, so if you can't, you may want to consider purchasing some or just getting some professionally done by a photographer, illustrator, or graphic designer. These images will need to be saved on your computer. If they do not already exist as a digital file, then it's best to scan them rather than take a picture of them. When saving the image file, it's generally best to save it as a JPEG. Ensure that the image is big enough and clear. If you save an image as smaller than you need, then it will become pixelated, grainy, or unnaturally stretched when you try to resize it, and it could have the wrong proportions.

Another thing to consider is the color scheme. If you are using custom shades of color, ensure that you have the color code. These are the numbers that look like coordinates for the place on the color spectrum. This will allow you to ensure you can consistently use the same shade of each color.

Tips for Designing Virtual Book Covers

Here are some things to consider trying when creating a 3D book rendering:

Practice with the software in advance of designing. 3D modeling in design is very doable but can be tricky, so it's best to have a look at some tutorials and play around with the software first.
Save everything as you go along. Not only should you save the images and the files that you've written the text on, but you should also save your actual virtual book cover as you go along with making it. This means that if the software crashes, you can still recover your files.
Do variations of a cover and get feedback on which ones are the best. It's helpful to A/B test a cover (this is when you have two or more options and ask people which they prefer).
When designing your book cover, keep in mind the genre of the book and what the traditions of tropes are with book covers of that genre. Think about what your target audience will be expecting and might want to see.
Take note of everything, like measurements, coloring codes, and coordinates. If measurements aren't proportionate and objects aren't lined up the right way, then the cover won't look right when it's printed.
Consider getting professional input on your design. Your book cover is the first thing potential readers will see, so it's worth doing right.
Look at some of the latest virtual design trends for inspiration.

Virtual Design Trends

If you're looking for ideas on what to design, here are some prompts for popular virtual design trends.

Surrealism: Unusual shapes and objects that look unique. This is kind of like abstract art.
Geometric: Basically objects are reduced to simple shapes.
Minimalism: Sometimes, having less is more. It's common for some covers to have a few features, but they are all purposeful and stand out.
Unconventional Typography: Sometimes designers experiment with the shapes of letters and words.
Animation: cartoon-type characters.
Illustrations: Covers that look like they were hand-drawn.
Pixel and Digital: Designs that replicate old computerized images or look like they are part of a computer program.
Retro: Throwbacks to the '60s, '70s, and '80s (even the '90s, even though we still remember them).

virtual design trends

Book Covers as a Marketing Tool

Book covers are an important marketing tool. In a way, they are an advertisement for what is inside the book itself. They are like posters showing what your book is about.

Take advantage of your great book cover and use it to promote your masterpiece. Posting book cover design ideas and the process of making them is great content to use on your social media.

Professional Design With Dibbly | The Urban Writers

At Dibbly | The Urban Writers, we offer an excellent book cover design package. We have professional, vetted freelancers who can design the book cover of your dreams and make it a reality for you. Check out our great service and arrange a call about it to get started.