Straight from New York (Times): Best Book Covers of 2016

Matt Dorfman, the New York Times Book Review art director is entitled to pick 2016’s most impressive book jackets. So he did it for his annual round-up of publications that pushed the envelope with one single cover. Created by newcomers and established graphic designers alike, these are 12 reasons to keep our spirits high for what is to come in the graphic design scene in the publishing industry.

“These covers are challenging without being impenetrable and playful without being precious — none of which is an easy task for a designer. If good design might lure us into an experience that makes us smarter, then we’ve hit the jackpot when the book allows us to spend time within the head space of a stranger” says Dorfman of this “Best Of 2016 library to own”.

“The Mothers” by Brit Bennett Designed by Rachel Willey Publisher: Riverhead Books

“Moonglow” by Michael Chabon Designed by Adalis Martinez Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins Publishers

“The Bed Moved” by Rebecca Schiff Designed by Janet Hansen Publisher: Knopf

“Beautiful Gravity” by Martin Hyatt Designed by John Gall Publisher: Antibookclub

“The Hideous Hidden” by Sylvia Legris Designed by Erik Carter Publisher: New Directions

“But What If We’re Wrong?” by Chuck Klosterman Designed by Paul Sahre Publisher: Blue Rider Press

“Against Everything” by Mark Greif Designed by Kelly Blair Publisher: Pantheon

“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead Designed by Oliver Munday Publisher: Doubleday

“Private Novelist” by Nell Zink Designed by Sara Wood, Art by Evgenia Loli Publisher: Ecco

“Cannibals in Love” by Mike Roberts Designed by Na Kim Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

“On Trails” by Robert Moor Designed by Jim Tierney Publisher: Simon & Schuster

“How to See” by David Salle Designed by Peter Mendelsund Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company