People have very mixed opinions when it comes to book illustrations. There is a huge debate, so much so that there is a Reddit thread named “Let’s talk about illustrations in books! Do you like them? Or do you find that they hinder your reading experience?” where people are talking about book illustrations and its impact on their reading experience. Some users praised the illustrations, saying:
“I love seeing illustrations of any kind in fantasy books. Whether it’s landscapes, portraits, or even crests and symbols. For me, anything that helps aid my visualization of the text only makes the reading experience better.”
On another note, there are those who hold critical viewpoints regarding the creation and placement of illustrations. Yet, it’s evident that the vast majority loves expertly crafted illustrations, such as those seen in Jim Kay and Mary Grandpre’s illustrated editions of Harry Potter and Empire of the Vampire.
Returning to our initial discussion, it’s worth pondering once more – are investments in book illustration services truly worth it? Based on the enthusiastic exchanges on Reddit forums, the answer appears to be a resounding yes.
What Comes Under Book Illustration?
Before we explore why hiring book illustration services can be a game-changer for your book, let’s take a look at what is included in these services. Whenever we hear the word illustration, our mind goes directly to children’s books. So yes, let’s start from there.
- Children’s Books
The experts in these services make engaging illustrations that captivate the minds of young readers. They aim to create visuals that make storytelling interesting. A great example of this is Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall or The Writer by Davide Cali and Monica Barengo (Illustrator), where they use soft pastel colors to show the ways dogs change our lives for the better.
- Textbook Illustrations
If you have written an academic book or are getting it written by Premium ebook writing services, you can add illustrations to simplify complex concepts. This makes learning easier and more engaging for students.
- Comic Book Illustration
When we discuss book illustrations, one can never leave comics out of this list. From Superman: Secret Identity to The Sandman – there are so many comic books that have made their permanent place in our hearts. If you question what makes them stand out, it’s the visuals that seamlessly blend art and storytelling.
- Book Cover Illustration
Lastly, you can get book illustration services to design your book cover. Do you know that up to 80% of people purchase a book because of its cover? So, if you are publishing your book in stores or online, you need an attractive book cover to attract attention and make your book stand out in the market.
Why are Book Illustration Services Worth It?
- Good Illustrations Help in Storytelling
If your book requires illustration or visual clues to help people understand the narrative, then you need experts who can make images that complete the narrative and encourage interpretation and engagement. Let’s take children’s books, for example. Children love to discover clues in the pictures that tell or help them guess about the story. There are many such examples where the best book illustration services have provided clues through pictures. In the book by Emma Middleton and Briony Stewart – “The Lion in our Living Room,” – the first page of the book has Dad saying, ‘Be careful at the door… you never know who might come knocking with his giant paw.’
Immediately, the readers start searching for clues in the picture. So, the readers read that there will be a paw and not a hand. The best part is that the word “lion” is not mentioned specifically, but the illustrators have left lion clues in the illustrations. On the next page, the children see a giant paw of a lion stepping, suggesting that the lion is coming. So, this is how illustrations can help in storytelling.
- Makes You Stand Out in a Saturated Market
The book market is flooded with hundreds, if not thousands, of books and e-books. While e-books are popular for their convenience, printed books are not going away any time soon. With so many new books being released every day, it can be challenging to make your book stand out. One way to do this is by utilizing illustration services.
A visually appealing book cover can help your book stand out from the competition. Professional illustrators know how to create compelling artwork that resonates with your target audience. A striking cover can attract more readers, leading to increased sales and visibility. So, instead of thinking, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” consider investing in the best book illustration service available.
- Trendy Visual Styles
Today’s popular art styles and designs influence the pictures seen in kids’ books. Illustrators pick colors, shapes, or famous characters that catch the eye of young readers. Their artwork is engaging and helps make the books interesting and relevant, encouraging kids to enjoy both the story and the pictures.
For instance, many modern kids’ books use bright colors and fun shapes to match the playful spirit of childhood. A good example is “The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!” by Mo Willems. Willems creates simple, expressive characters and uses lively colors that attract kids, making the pictures not just interesting but fun to look at.
Another book, “Ada Twist, Scientist” by Andrea Beaty, with pictures by David Roberts, uses detailed and colorful illustrations to show the main character Ada’s curiosity and imagination. This keeps the book fresh and meaningful, letting kids enjoy both the art and the tale.
- Brand Recognition
You would know that authors are generally distinguished based on their writing styles. Apart from that, your identity is also built on the typeface you use, the formatting you follow, or the colors you use in your illustrations. For authors, it is best to hire book illustration services because it can contribute to brand identity. A cohesive visual style across all your books can help in building recognition and loyalty among readers.
Wrap Up
What more could an author want than to be remembered by their audience for their books? While your writing may be exceptional, hiring book illustration services could be the fill-in-the-missing touch in your books. With fine and engaging visuals, they will bring your written world alive.
It might seem that hiring experts would mean spending too much money, but ultimately, the value you will gain from high-quality illustrations will far exceed the initial investment. This is when you realize that hiring illustrators was a smart choice for your book.
