Cover design and interior layout created for "Artist Relief 2020" report: "We Are Bound" © Olivier Darbonville In digital publishing, format decisions are not merely technical preferences; they shape readability, accessibility, distribution performance, and long-term scalability. One of the most critical choices publishers face today is deciding between Reflowable EPUB and Fixed Layout EPUB (FXL). Although both operate under the EPUB standard, they function in fundamentally

Interior layout design created for Sofia Pavon's latest book "Be a kind mosquito". © Olivier Darbonville Self-publishing gives authors full creative control and faster publishing timelines compared to traditional publishing. However, while platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to publish a book for free, producing a professional-quality book involves real costs. In this guide, I break down the average cost of self-publishing — including editing, cover

Coffee table book design, "The music Fund", created for ampd Labs. © Olivier Darbonville Choosing the right publishing platform is one of the most important decisions for self-publishing authors. Two of the most widely used options today are Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark. While both allow authors to publish independently, they serve different purposes and offer distinct advantages depending on your goals. Understanding the differences between these pla

Cover design and interior layout created for Lawrence Matthews' latest book, "Industry Innovation" © Olivier Darbonville Artificial intelligence has rapidly changed the creative landscape, offering tools that can generate book covers and interior layouts within seconds. While AI can be helpful for inspiration or early concepts, many authors quickly discover that automated designs rarely match the depth, strategy, and quality of human-crafted book design. Understanding the dif

Interior layout design, created for Bob Tonic's portfolio book. © Olivier Darbonville As a professional book designer , I’ve learned that a well-designed book is not only about aesthetics—it’s about understanding every step of the publishing process. Whether you’re self-publishing on Amazon KDP , IngramSpark , or any other platform, the right design can make your book look professional, credible, and truly reader-ready. Why the Right Book Designer Matters Every author has a u

Book interior layout created for Kathy Buck Thomson's book, "Wall Pilates Workouts for Women" © Olivier Darbonville As a book designer, I know that every project is more than just arranging text and images—it’s about creating a reading experience that feels natural, engaging, and true to the author’s vision. Recently, I had a very positive customer experience  that reminded me just how essential thoughtful book layout design  can be. My Collaboration With the Author When I f

I created this book layout for for Linda Hill's "Inner Child Recovery Workbook". © Olivier Darbonville How you present something is often just as important as what you say. This principle applies not only to public speaking but also to publishing. A well-written manuscript deserves thoughtful presentation, and this is where professional book design plays a crucial role. Book designers help transform ideas into visually compelling and readable publications, ensuring that both

My winning design, created with a custom illustration, for Brad Kesler's latest book, "Trusted with Treasure". © Olivier Darbonville Do you believe in love at first sight? Or have you ever wondered why we form opinions about people — or objects — within seconds of seeing them? Human psychology is strongly influenced by visual impressions. Even when we know that appearance does not tell the whole story, we still rely on it when making decisions. Book buying is no exception. Be

Interior layout created for "Mission Cup Devotional" © Olivier Darbonville What is the first thing you notice when browsing for a book? Is it the cover, the author’s name, the overall design — or perhaps something less obvious, like the typography? While readers may not consciously focus on fonts, typography plays a powerful role in shaping how a book feels, reads, and ultimately succeeds. With thousands of typefaces available, choosing the right font for a book is far from

Interior layout created for Camero J Clark's workbook & journal, "A Journey to Healing Your Inner Child". © Olivier Darbonville Each book is unique — not only in its content but also in its design. A successful book design reflects and supports the message of the text. When design and content work together, they create a cohesive experience that allows readers to connect with the book more deeply. For potential readers, design creates the first impression. Before turning the

Cover design and interior layout that I created for Stefan Böck's latest book, "HERO". © Olivier Darbonville Book design plays a far more important role than many people initially realize. Beyond aesthetics, thoughtful design increases reader interest, communicates structure, and sets expectations before the first page is even opened. Design influences how we perceive almost everything in daily life. Whether choosing clothing, buying a product, or browsing online, visual appe

Elizabeth R. Jia's latest book, "The Love of Panda: Our Common Ground". 400+ page interior layout created with high resolution images and colorful design elements. © Olivier Darbonville I have never claimed that writing a book is easy. For many authors, it takes months — sometimes years — of dedication, revision, and creative effort. While my own journey as a writer may not have been long, books have never left my life. They remain at the center of my world, not only as stori

Cover design and interior layout created for Francisco Rafael's "Beast Mode Tactics" © Olivier Darbonville I’m a self-taught designer whose journey began back in 1996 while working on a school magazine. Looking back, I’m not sure it could truly be called “design.” My first layouts were created in Microsoft Word, filled with loud colors, too many columns, and plenty of childish WordArt — but every journey starts somewhere. Once the layout was ready, I printed copies on an inkj