10 Questions for Chip Kidd

The book-jacket designer for Knopf has created some of the most iconic literary images of the past 20 years

IS THE FIRST STEP IN DESIGNING A BOOK COVER READING THE BOOK? I don't have to read every word … but I need to feel that I get a sense of what a particular author's take is on a subject. The process is very intuitive. You become this filter to interpret how this book should be perceived visually by someone who hasn't read it yet.

WHAT IF THE AUTHOR DISAGREES WITH YOUR INTERPRETATION? Even if it's not in their contract, the authors have the final say.

IS THERE ANY SUREFIRE COVER FORMULA THAT CAN MAKE A BOOK A BEST SELLER? No,...

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