Domestika Creatives: Rodrigo Corral

The US graphic artist, best known for his book cover designs, talks to us about his creative process and career.

If practice makes perfect, then it is no wonder Rodrigo Corral is one of the best book cover designers of the last decade: with more than 500 designs under his belt, having worked with authors of the stature of Chuck Palahniuk, Junot Díaz, and Jeffrey Eugenides, he was bound to conceive some of the most unforgettable book covers of our time.

Corral, creative director of book publishing company Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and in charge of his own creative studio, talks to us about the hub of activity surrounding his work, the endless search for ideas, and his relationship with the authors he works with. Take a look in the video below:

The importance of the personal journey

According to Rodrigo, there is an essential rule to follow when planning a cover: what matters is the personal experience of the viewer and the impression left on them, rather than the predetermined intention of the designer.

The subjective reception of his designs is, therefore, the fundamental goal of his work. He’s particularly interested in the idea of ambiguity and play, and these aspects often result in unexpected and unusual design solutions.

About style and ideas

"I think the way I approach the project is what defines my style” claims the designer. For Corral, each author has a different need and so has each story. To achieve the best possible cover the secret is to really understand those needs.
The cover materializes at any given moment, and he prefers to go about this process in a natural and organic manner, without pressure.
Corral’s method begins with him taking notes, sharing them with his creative team, and working alongside them to achieve the best possible outcome.

Focus on your passions

Being able to attach yourself emotionally to your project is the key to its success, the designer suggests.
Be curious, have no fear of exploring new and diverse paths of inspiration, and try to enjoy the journey more than the outcome, is the advice he gives.

Be prepared for the ups and downs that come with the creative process, and accept the fact that we cannot always be in control of everything. At the end of the day, according to Corral, the creative profession "is a roller coaster".

You may be interested in:

-Domestika Talks: Gary Baseman.
-The Art From the Everything but the Kitschen Sync Exhibition.
-5 Ideas to Dedicate a Day to Your Creativity.
-Editorial Design: How a Book is Made, a course by Eric Gardí.