“Harnessing the Power of Imagery and Design”
Dear writer,
I hope you’ve had a good week experimenting with your personal author brand! This week, as we continue to explore the world of marketing, we’re going to dive into the arena of graphic design and promotional materials.
Whether it’s business cards or event flyers or graphics for your social media channels, every author needs to generate some degree of promotional material. Now, if you’ve never tackled design before, never fear! There are online apps that have greatly simplified the process, as well as a host of professional services and individuals to hire for help. But before we dive in, let’s take a look at others who invested in powerful images to capture the hearts of those who needed their message.
Imagery and Design in History
The United State’s World War II war effort is a great example of the use of graphics and images to promote a critical message. As our men left for war, and women had to take on their roles in work and industry, clear messages were needed to keep up our courage. One of the most recognized posters of that era—Rosie the Riveter—was one image of many that captured the hearts of our nation and unified and galvanized us toward selfless service during one of our nation’s most trying times.
Here’s the thing, writer. There is nothing like strong imagery to capture the attention of would-be readers to words that could change their life as well.
Imagery and Design in the Bible
God is a master of imagery and in the book of Daniel, He used powerful images to convey His warning to King Nebuchadnezzar about the exile that his pride was about to bring upon him. Though Nebuchadnezzar did not change based on that dream alone, when God executed the judgment, because He had prepared Nebuchadnezzar with those powerful images, Nebuchadnezzar repented of his pride and recognized the Lord’s sovereignty. Today, Nebuchadnezzar is the only Babylonian King to have written a chapter of the Bible. His words still speak to us today!
Imagery and Design in Life
I embraced the process of design and imagery when felt the Lord call me to begin simplifying my home. Though it had always been attractive, I felt the Lord challenge me to create a space—that I no longer had to constantly to serve—but that served and enabled my gifts and calling. He gave me a vision of my home as a place of peace, conversation, and communion. With that call clearly in mind, I began editing out clutter and integrating color, texture, and art as I designed environment that fostered that peace. Whereas before our visits with friends and family had been harried and hurried, now our home is one that others linger in and feel comfortable sharing their heart. Much ministry has taken place simply through the power of design that the Lord led me to apply.
Imagery and Design in Your Life
Here’s the thing, writer. Powerful images and design prepare the way for us, too. They set the tone for the work the Lord is preparing to do and give readers a peek inside your story, because here’s the thing. The very first encounter your potential reader will have with your story will likely be with one of the images you’ve designed. Whether it is your book cover, a business card, or a flyer, investing in powerful imagery is like hanging a welcome sign. What’s more, well chosen images will also help readers realize that YOUR story is the one they’ve been looking for. Here’s an example of what I mean.
- The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1
- For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. – Romans 1:19-20
- I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds… – Genesis 9: 13-14
You see, writer? God surrounds us with imagery every day that displays His heart and character. Every time we step outside, though no words are used, a careful and honest observer could never deny the existence of a powerful and loving God who has ordered the universe.
In the same way, our imagery, whether our book cover, business cards, event posters, or social media posts, have the potential to communicate something of who we are and to draw their hearts and thoughts of readers toward the message they need to receive.
Where to Start with Imagery and Design
So are you ready to take a look harnessing graphic design and imagery to promote of your book? If you are, here are a few things to get you started…
- Consider Your Story. What is the heart of your message? Is it a fantasy tale about the power of love? Consider rich colors, rich and/or whimsical fonts, and images that capture a sense of mystery, wonder, and otherworldliness. Are you publishing a book to help mothers with Biblical insights for raising their toddlers? Perhaps bright and nurturing colors with a playful or peaceful imagery would fit well. Build a list of adjectives for your story to help in clarifying its theme. (ie – mysterious, suspenseful, gritty, etc. or authoritative, nurturing, approachable, etc.).
- Be Consistent. Once you’ve settled on your book’s heart, select a color scheme, fonts, images, layouts, and phrases embodying that theme that you can use across all of your materials—whether digital or print. Though they need not all look exactly the same, the idea is for potential readers to begin to easily spot and recognize who you are…wherever and however you show up.
- Try Creating Your Own Promotional Materials. If you’ve never designed anything before, there are many online apps to introduce you to the design process. Canva of is one that has hundreds of template, stock photos, and design elements to help get you started! Most Staples stores will be able to print your materials for a reasonable rate. Not sure what size your document needs to be? Staples.com has project specifications listed and templates with the exact print dimensions and bleed you will need in the “Print and Marketing Services” area of their website.
- Consider Hiring Help. If you know dipping into the world of design isn’t for you, consider getting some professional help! This is a wonderful time to lean into your community. Some of the best connections I’ve made as an author have come from the recommendation of friends and fellow writers. There are also many online services and professionals that can create graphics for a reasonable rate. Also, don’t discount the possibility of help from up-and-coming artists who need projects to build their portfolio.
- Consider Your Reader. When it comes to promotional materials, there are certain things every author needs to have like business cards and book covers, etc. But as you prepare your promotional materials, consider what your readers truly need. Will they need a book card with a promotional blurb and web address? Do you need to create a poster to catch their eye at your next book event? Try to outline what pieces will be needed to reach them and get a game plan to create them.
Because here’s the thing, writer. Images are one of the most powerful ways we communicate and identify who we are and what we are about, so that we can be recognized by one another. God Himself became the Word made flesh. He embodied His heart and character in the living representation of Jesus who was the very image of the Father and His glory.
Though we are not God, we are created in His image, and as we embrace His ability to create, we too can harness the power of image and use them to captivate, motivate, and communicate who and what our story is to our readers as well. Just like the posters of World War II moved a nation, just like the dream of Nebuchadnezzar transformed a king and kingdom, just like my own home and its design enabled us to serve our God and our guests more deeply and freely… We can use images to set the stage for the work the Lord wants to do in and through our words, too.
#image #design #power #EveryWriterWriting
