Jayce O’Neal once said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can sure sell a bunch of books if you have a good one.”
This statement is further endorsed by the fact that 80% of readers avoid books due to unattractive covers.
Unfortunately, for authors, the hard truth is that most self-published books don’t sell, not because the writing is bad, but because the cover isn’t compelling enough to attract a reader. Authors spend months, even years, writing a story, only to slap on a generic, irrelevant illustration that gets ignored and rejected. With over 4 million books being globally published yearly, that’s certainly a dealbreaker.
And with 2025’s publishing industry becoming more visual and competitive than ever, using outdated styles or AI-generated art with no emotions won’t bring in any sales. Readers of today are looking for something that stops the scroll, entices, and promises a story worth opening.
And nothing can fulfill that need better than a book full of attractive and amazing illustrations. This post breaks down the biggest book illustration trends of 2025, what’s the importance, what’s selling, and how to choose the right illustrator for your genre and audience. Continue reading to find out:
Before we start discussing trends and their impact, it’s important to understand the value of strong artwork. Read the following section to find out:
A book’s illustration on the cover, interior pages, or chapter headings can determine its success in seconds. That’s because readers judge a book by its cover, and much of that judgment hinges on the illustration style. Compelling visuals immediately communicate genre, tone, and quality in a world driven by fast decisions. Illustrations can:
This is especially vital for children’s book themes, where the artwork often tells as much of the story as the words. The more visually engaging the characters and scenes are, the stronger the retention, reread value, and parent-to-parent recommendation rate.
We’re witnessing a visual renaissance in publishing. Illustrated books are no longer confined to children’s stories; genres like adult coloring books, graphic memoirs, cookbooks with storytelling elements, and creatively formatted nonfiction are gaining traction fast. What’s driving this shift?
This growth has given both illustrators and authors the freedom to explore creative layouts, adjust margins and borders, and even integrate typography into the illustration itself.
Illustrated books are marketed more easily on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. On BookTok, character artwork can rack up tens of thousands of views. Unlike standard stock-photo covers, custom illustrations:
Publishers who view book illustration as a marketing asset, not just a production step, consistently see greater reach and stronger reader loyalty.
Now that you know the value of book trends, let’s take a look at the leading illustration trends and how each can impact branding and storytelling.
It’s soft, a little dreamy style that has a warm nostalgia for mid-century children's books with modern design elements. You’ll often see hand-drawn lines that aren’t overly polished, muted color palettes with warm pastels or earthy tones, and simple but expressive characters. There’s usually a softness to the composition, like pencil strokes, watercolor textures, or intentionally imperfect details.
With all the digital design and AI-generated art circulating, readers are craving authenticity, something that feels nostalgic, like the smell of an old book. This style satisfies that craving without looking outdated. In 2025, it's especially powerful for genres like children’s books, middle grade, cozy fantasy, and even literary fiction with emotional depth.
Collaborate with a book illustration service that excels in hand-rendered, tactile artwork. Pair the visuals with vintage-style typography on the cover and consider adding character sketches throughout the book to boost reader engagement. For series, incorporate recurring illustrated motifs or frame borders to reinforce visual identity.
Designers use 1–3 soft, desaturated colors, like sage green, beige, or dusky blue, to create spacious, modern covers. Often paired with pencil-style illustrations, bold shadows, or minimal layouts, the look is simple but attention-grabbing.
When a book cover has a quiet and focused design, it is spotted easily. Using a limited color palette sends a clear message: this book is thoughtful, intentional, and confident. That’s why this style works so well for genres like poetry, memoir, literary fiction, or quiet speculative books.
Choose one mood color based on your book’s theme (e.g., sage for calm, navy for introspection). Use texture, like grain, brush strokes, or line work, to add depth. Keep the palette consistent across your cover, website, and promo materials to establish author identity.
Covers or inside pages include scannable QR codes or embedded AR (augmented reality) markers that unlock animations, audio, behind-the-scenes art, or interactive scenes on a smartphone or tablet. The art often looks hand-drawn or painterly in print but becomes motion or layered storytelling when viewed digitally.
Readers appreciate experiences. Interactive illustrations add surprise, depth, and emotional connection. They also boost engagement on social media, where shareable AR clips or hidden content can go viral. It’s especially popular in children’s books, fantasy, graphic novels, and collector editions.
Collaborate with illustrators and developers to create a simple QR code linked to a hosted animation, voiceover, or digital illustration gallery. For AR, platforms like Artivive or Zappar let you layer movement onto static artwork. Start small: animate a character, show a scene from a different angle, or add author commentary. Just make sure the interactive content does not distract readers from the story.
It often includes flat or limited-color figures, abstract shapes, and contrast. The focus is on ideas over realism. Illustrations are symbolic, clever, and sometimes surreal, designed to make readers pause and think.
With the rise of nonfiction reading from self-help to startup guides, authors need visuals that organize information without overwhelming the reader. Editorial graphics excel in simplifying complex ideas and improving retention. They also work beautifully in print and digital formats.
Authors writing nonfiction should collaborate with a book illustration service that understands the balance between informative and beautification. Use diagrams or timelines as chapter openers. If your book includes actionable steps or stats, editorial-style visuals help the content feel structured and digestible. A comic book illustrator with infographic experience can make typical “dry” material easy to understand.
This trend is composed of rich, moody tones of burgundy, charcoal, and forest green and combines ornate elements like calligraphy, candlelight, and classical motifs. You may find antique libraries, handwritten letters, and Baroque architecture rendered through modern digital illustration.
With online communities built around this aesthetic (especially on TikTok and Pinterest ), these visuals signal genre, tone, and emotional depth instantly. It’s especially effective for historical fiction, gothic romance, literary fantasy, dark academia, or dark YA.
Start with a dramatic color palette: black, forest green, maroon, antique gold. Use fine, etched linework or woodcut-inspired illustration styles. Layer in gothic architecture, candlelit interiors, or symbolic objects tied to your plot. Serif fonts and handwritten typography work well here, too. For authors with dark kids' book themes (like fairy tales or ghost stories), tone it down slightly with storybook elements for a spooky-but-safe look.
In this book illustration, characters vary in skin tone, body type, age, ability, and gender expression, and the artwork feels both grounded and joyful. Backgrounds feature iconic local architecture, flora, and traditions that show real-world locations.
Readers are no longer satisfied with stories that only reflect a narrow view of the world. Inclusive, culturally grounded art builds trust with readers who want to feel seen, and it invites others to explore stories outside their own lived experience. This style works powerfully in children's books, YA, historical fiction, memoir, fantasy, and nonfiction centered on identity, culture, or belonging. Especially in picture book themes and kids' book themes, inclusivity isn't optional; it’s expected.
If your book draws from a specific culture, work with an illustrator who either shares that heritage or has done deep, respectful research. Be specific—include meaningful patterns, clothing, architecture, or symbols tied to your setting or characters. Avoid generalizing or mixing cultures unless your story intentionally does so.
This style combines physical textures, paper scraps, handwriting, photography, and digital elements in one composition. It’s chaotic, but beautiful, often evoking memory, emotion, or creative spontaneity.
With the rise of poetry, mental health memoirs, and hybrid fiction, this visual style captures internal complexity like no other. It’s especially popular in zines, art books, and Instagram-shared poetry. Its emotional rawness connects deeply with readers looking for authenticity.
Use mixed media in your title page or across select chapter headings. For emotional scenes or deeply personal narratives, collage illustration can be added to describe the scene’s intensity. Collaborate with a book illustration service that can work with both scanned physical media and digital textures.
This design trend uses reductive illustration, typically single-weight, vector-style line drawings, combined with dominant typographic structures to create high-contrast, high-impact visuals. The artwork often includes solitary figures, abstract faces, hands, or symbolic objects rendered in one continuous or near-continuous line.
With digital feeds flooded by stuffy designs, minimalist covers act as visual “rest stops,” drawing the eye through clarity, not chaos. The clean layout, strong silhouettes, and weighty fonts scale down well across mobile platforms and e-readers without sacrificing legibility or impact.
Start with one strong, symbolic line drawing, like a face in profile, a single flower, or an object central to your story. Keep it raw and clean. Then choose a bold typeface that complements your book’s tone (e.g., modern serif for literary, block sans for edgy memoir). Let the typography do some of the storytelling. Use spacing, alignment, and size to balance the minimalist artwork.
Now that you know about the book illustration trends, it’s time to create a relevant one to boost your revenue. Here are some tips:
Every book has a tone, and your illustrations should match it. Are you creating a calming children’s bedtime story? Go with Neo-Vintage Storybook Style. Writing a dark thriller? Gothic Revival may suit your brand better.
Visual communication is essential when briefing a kids' book illustration project or complex genre fiction.
Pro tip: Add a few “what not to do” examples to avoid misinterpretation.
Here are some other places you can add illustrations to boost reader engagement and even add to your bottom line:
Not sure what trend your audience connects with? Conduct an A/B test:
This makes your community feel included and helps you validate your investment before going to print.
Choosing the right illustrator can distinguish between a good book and a remarkable one. Whether you’re creating a picture book or launching a graphic novel, here’s how to find and work with the perfect visual partner.
Do ask about these details upfront to avoid confusion during project execution, especially if you’ve tight release deadlines.
Use platforms that support easy back-and-forth communication:
Always back up communication in writing and keep contracts clear.
So, there you have it: a complete, helpful guide to the best book illustration styles and ways to introduce them in your next release (or an existing one).
Today’s book illustration trends, whether picture book themes, minimalist covers, or AR illustrations, aren’t just creative; they’re strategic. Strong artwork boosts discoverability and compels your audience to purchase your book.
So, work with a book illustration service or comic book illustrator that understands your tone, audience, and message. Use that artwork across print and digital copies as well as on social media platforms for a consistent reader experience.
You don’t need a big budget, just a clear vision. The right illustrations won’t just support your story; they’ll help make it a bestseller.
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