Portfolio
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/47/4747/474796/ddcbfc68-330a-4434-90c4-287f9362f631.jpg "Book 2 of the \"Melanie Hogan Mysteries Series\", which stories always take place within the environment of an hair salon.
The main character, that owns the space, is the suspect in the shooting of the nail technician that works there.
The author didn't want anything bloody or gory, but a bit mysterious.
Since the story takes place in the Minnesota in the early springtime, another request was to incorporate a fresh color scheme, where some light snow could still be seen on the forest floor. This also helped to differentiate this second book from the other ones in the same series.")
:format(webp)/99designs-contests-attachments/103/103049/attachment_103049650 "This design was a layout proposal and was never published.
The audiobook is a collection of 12 guided meditations aimed to single women looking for love (25 – 60 years).
The client requested an inspiring and hopeful cover that should also be peaceful and comforting.
I’ve chosen to create a very serene and clean design but full of meaning: the two lotus flowers that are the main spot of color (with a vibrant tone of fuchsia) represent the search for love between two people.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/76/7605/760500/b78cf094-6bdf-4205-bb80-bfad8b1f9aaa.jpg "This book cover was designed for a spiritual fiction.
The author had already in mind a specific scene described in the first chapter. To follow the writing, the angel needed to have an etheric appearance, while the little girl had to be seen as being “more real”.
Although there were already some references regarding the appearance of the characters, I had some freedom to “create” them in a way that could be interesting for the viewers, adding some details.
The atmosphere that surrounds them was also a very important aspect of the entire design, with the sunlight that comes through the trees. The mist was already part of the image chosen for the background, but the colors and contrasts had to be completely changed in order to make the whole imagery balanced and believable.
One of the other details requested by the author was to give a big impact to the main title “44”. The effects and colors helped to make it stand out and, at the same time, to match the rest of the design.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/46/4689/468949/d33af487-8d7b-45af-8a95-2fdbdadbfab8.jpg "\"Breaking Regulations\" is science fiction disguised as dark fantasy. Most of the book takes place in the outer section of a cylindrical generation ship that is mainly croplands and walled towns. The main character is Marcus, a mercenary swordsman.
The design has a dark and mysterious atmosphere, not only to match the story, but also to better catch the attention and curiosity of the potential buyers/readers.
Not showing too much of the interior of the ship, also allows everyone to imagine it in its own way, when they read the descriptions on the book.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/32/3275/327545/9950295b-01b9-4253-8180-25fa4e09e7ff.jpg "Design for book 2 of the Vampire Queen Saga, a mature dark fantasy novel that revolves around the search for a viking-style shield, with a raven's head painted on it.
I designed a stylized raven to incorporate in the main zone of the shield, very much in the style of the ancient heraldic and tribal symbols. The main challenge was to have the eye right at the center, making it almost “alive”. This also helped to represent the shield as something special and unique.
The other request of the author was to have a nautical feel, as most of the book takes place at sea or in port.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/66/6682/668227/b8f51cb5-f499-4a3a-ac51-466ab4085819.jpg "For the first time after several series, the author decided to have a female model as the main subject of the design instead of a man. Despite her target audience being usually attracted by models of the opposite sex, as the story is developed around a strong woman, it made sense to make her the focal point.
The request was to represent her as a sophisticated and powerful character, but that could also transmit a sense of sensuality, which is one of the more important aspects of this author’s books.
The draped fabrics on the photos, as well as the particular blue tone that was chosen, helped to achieve the requested style, as well as to keep a consistency in all the books of this series.")
:format(webp)/99designs-contests-attachments/102/102589/attachment_102589981 "This design was a layout proposal and was never published. It was made for the prequel of the “Edgar Vincent Thrillers”.
In this story the police partner of Edgar Vincent goes missing. The Chicago PD's homicide division abandons the search when his car is found near Lake Michigan, with a suicide note on the seats and absolutely zero traces of a body.
Edgar Vincent, however, cannot sit still while this injustice is carried out in the name of his partner, and decides to hit the mean streets of Chicago to track his buddy down, playing detective against the orders of his superiors, facing Chicago’s more sinister characters in the process.
My idea was to transmit that dark and dangerous atmosphere by showing the silhouette of the detective in one of the Chicago streets.
The contrast between the shadows and the spots of bright light helped to intensify the drama.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/25/2559/255963/d4ae8091-0166-471c-89b1-03dfa36b8a95.jpg "This design was a layout proposal and was never published. It was made for a fictional story about the mystery of Edgar Allan Poe's death in 1849.
I've recreated the atmosphere of that time, not only through the costumes of the characters but also with the dark and mysterious environment.
The contrast between the intense lights and the shadows transmits the dramatic feeling that was required.")
:format(webp)/99designs-contests-attachments/111/111126/attachment_111126519 "“Meer der Stille”, translated from German as “Sea of Silence”, is a Sci-Fi Thriller set in 2048. An international crew embarks on a flight to Mars, when they’re awaken by the emergency protocol. The chaos and destruction reign on board, making impossible to complete the mission to their final destination... or even to return to Earth. The journey into nothingness begins.
Apart from requiring a spaceship with a specific shape, damaged and with visible signs that would represent the unfortunate events, the client also wanted to convey the impression that the ship was drifting and completely lost in space.
Therefore, I decided to place it in a certain way (in the diagonal) in order to give a sense of instability, to better represent its critical situation while is being destroyed and outside of its route.
The effects that I gave to the title also reinforce that destruction, where the metal appears scratched and burned.
This design was a layout proposal and was never published.")
:format(webp)/99designs-contests-attachments/111/111998/attachment_111998090 "This design was a layout proposal and was never published. “Inferno” is the beginning of a multi-part dramatic science fiction series, that takes the readers on a journey through space and time.
The story is set in the year 2033, when humanity considers itself the crown of creation. It’s only then that Earth reveals its innermost, bringing the island of Capri to a terrible inferno… which changes the world forever.
The author requested the representation of one of the main scenes, when an immense white energy beam comes from the deeps of the Earth in the direction of a distant planet.
Having this scenery in mind, I decided to place the two planets in a position that would allow the energy beam to cross the main title. Apart from achieving a very symmetrical balance in the entire design, this was also meant to give a very curious detail, where the beam seems to pass right through the vertical line of the letter “P”.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/47/4742/474250/2fb59673-6c53-47d3-aaff-3713276b584e.jpg "This design was created for a science fiction novel, set about a dozen years in the future.
The diagonal form of the buildings gives a great depth to the cover, also helped by the running man and the strong light at the end of the street. This contrast between zones of light and shadow was made to create impact and transmit a sense of mystery.
Since the story has to do with the malicious, mesmerizing effect of a presence on social media, the author wanted to include some kind of electronic device (mobile, tablet or computer).
However, I also added some details as a watermark, like the circular grid with the zero and one numerals, in order to have a certain \"technological atmosphere\".
Another of the requests was to create the design with a blue/gray palette with gold highlights, since this is a color combination that can attract the public of this book genre.")
:format(webp)/http://s3.amazonaws.com/projects-files/25/2559/255963/77f7bee0-67fe-4ca6-924e-b795a376d17c.jpg "This design was a layout proposal and was never published.
The cover was created for an Urban Fantasy Serial. This is a story about a man who is a member of a motorcycle club that hunts supernatural creatures and eliminates them.
The graphic effects on the main title make the connection with the chrome of the motorcycles, as well as the background texture lead us to the black leather jackets.")
About
Hi! My name is Isabel Robalo.
I'm an experienced Designer working mainly in the Publishing Industry:
• Book and eBook Cover Design
• Interior Book Layout/Typesetting
ISA DESIGN® is a registered brand that represents the services I provide.
Enjoy my portfolio and come back whenever you need a Design project. I will be happy to help you.
Country:
Portugal.
Member since:
November 02, 2013
Reviews
"Thank you Isa for modifying the crossword puzzle book cover. It looks even greater with the new Bestselling Badge you designed."
rezaa.khoshkaj
reviewed 13 days ago
"Isa has done a great job once again with the new trivia book cover. Her ability to translate a retro concept into a clean, eye-catching design really stands out. I appreciate how she keeps the series branding consistent while still finding ways to evolv..."
rezaa.khoshkaj
reviewed 13 days ago
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"I love the work which Isabel carried out on my book. Isabel was very prompt in completing everything in swift timing and all to a beautiful creative standard which really brought the inside of my book to life. I will definitely be back to use Isabel’s s..."
johhVI
reviewed 17 days ago