Designing the front of your thesis is actually nothing more than making a book cover. You’ve been busy with a lot of things in recent years, but probably not with designs.
This article gives you tips and ideas for the cover design of your thesis.
Content
Some universities have different requirements for your thesis: the cover, title page and register must contain certain information. However, this does not apply to most universities and companies and you can at least decide for yourself how the design of your book will look like. Usually only the title, subtitle and name of the author are visible on the cover. You can also choose to write a short introduction on the back and possibly incorporate logos of your university or company into the design.
Cover thesis design
The cover design is the first thing people see. The cover of your dissertation implicitly tells the reader what the book is about, without directly naming the subject. The front of your thesis sets the tone for reading. Many PhD’s often have a photo or other image in their head that fits well with their PhD topic. You can choose to place a photo or an abstract image on the cover of your thesis.
Cover design with Stock Photo
A stock photo is a photograph that a photographer sells through a stock agency. The photo is not exclusive and can be downloaded or purchased by different people. You can use a stock photo under certain conditions. With a thesis you can often assume that you can use all stock photos, this changes when you want to use the photo commercially. Always check the conditions before you use an image.
Below we share some stock photo websites
Shutterstock – Has a huge range of stock photos. To use stock photos you need a (paid) account.
Pixabay (free) – Offers many high-quality images. Yet this website is more focused on business and marketing. Tip: pixabay offers free vectors and illustrations.
Unsplash (free) – Beautiful pictures with high resolutions. Unsplash does not have that much choice yet, but it is worth it. Thousands of photos are added every day.
Pexels (free) – Offers a wide range of photos. A must for artistic or abstract images.
Cover design with your own photo
Choose a beautiful photo in a high resolution as a base. It is usually nice if you can find a visual metaphor for your research. Consider, for example, a photograph of high-voltage cables if you are doing a thesis on the functioning of nerves.Maybe you already have such a picture. If not, you can take a picture yourself. If you are not a good photographer or simply do not have the right equipment, you can ask a photographer.
Cover design with an abstract photo
If you do not find a suitable photo, you can also opt for something abstract. Scientific research often has an abstract character, so it is not strange to give the cover of your thesis an abstract form. You can gain inspiration from the most important graphs or figures in your work. By zooming in or zooming out, you can make an interesting cut that does not fit on the cover of your dissertation.
Specifications of the image
An important aspect is the quality of the image. This is expressed in resolution. If you use a low-resolution image, you will eventually see this in the form of pixels, you do not want this. The image must be at least 300 dpi. Do not forget that the cover of your thesis is twice as large as the front.
Designing your thesis cover yourself
Are you familiar with design tools like Photoshop or Illustrator? Then you can make the cover yourself. Are these tools difficult for you? Then you can always ask a friend, relative or acquaintance if he or she wants to make your cover design. Keep in mind that a good design falls or stands in a good briefing. So describe well what you want and upload images that you have already selected for inspiration.
Cover design by Gildeprint
Can you use some help? We can help you with the preparation of your cover. Maybe you have a clear vision of how your cover should look like. Maybe you are still searching or need inspiration. We are ready and happy to help you. Together we will make an inventory of your wishes and make a cover that suits you and your thesis. Do you want to know more about the possibilities? Please contact us or request a quote directly here!
More inspiration?
Click here to see our online flipping books. Here you can see a number of theses printed by us.
Good luck!