The BelieversPress blog is going to be featuring Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Ask it here and we’ll get you an answer! You asked:

What’s the difference between graphic designer and CBA book designer?

Terry replied: A few definitions: Graphic Design - “the art or profession of using design elements (as typography and images) to convey information or create an effect” –Merriam Webster Book Design is graphic design applied to the cover of a book, taking into account the ways books are marketed, and the audience that will be attracted to a particular book. CBA - The Christian Booksellers Association represents a particular category in the book selling industry—evangelical Christian stores. Their highest profile event is ICRS, the International Christian Retailing Show held every Summer. It’s essentially a trade show that brings together the creators of Christian books, music and gifts, and retailers of the same from all around the world. CBA member stores and others have a chance to see and sample (and order) the items that they will sell in the coming seasons. CBA Book Design would simply be the graphic design of a book with an evangelical Christian audience in view, to be primarily sold in CBA stores. Artistically this has usually meant a softer, more friendly design approach unlike the edgier, more hard-hitting look of titles destined for Amazon or Barnes & Noble. That line has (thankfully) blurred considerably in the last few years to the point that a “CBA cover” is not requested much anymore, and most covers are expected to “cross over.” Still a book designer has to be sensitive to any demographic for which a book is written, and make sure the cover works in that category. So, a CBA book designer one who understands the CBA store market, and is capable of designing with a look that fits well there.