Here’s the cover I’d design for “家庭整理术 · 生活方式实用指南” — clean, calm, and instantly tells you “ahh, less clutter.”
Big idea
- Minimal, airy cover with a soft neutral background, a tidy little vignette (think calm entryway shelf with baskets, a plant, a labeled box), and bold, super-legible Chinese title front and center. It should feel like a deep breath.
Title and text
- Main title (large, centered): 家庭整理术
- Divider dot with breathing space: ·
- Subtitle (smaller, one line under title): 生活方式实用指南
- Optional English tagline (tiny, bottom): Less clutter, more life.
- Author name: center-bottom, smaller than subtitle.
Typography (readable at thumbnail size)
- Primary Chinese sans-serif (bold/heavy): Noto Sans SC or Source Han Sans (黑体风格、字重 Medium–Bold).
- Subtitle in the same family, one weight lighter.
- Author name in a clean sans (same family), regular weight.
- Avoid hairline strokes; aim for strong, friendly weights.
Color palette (calm with a fresh pop)
- Background: Warm paper/linen (#F7F5F0)
- Title: Charcoal ink (#2E2E2E)
- Accent: Sage green (#7BAA8F) for small details (labels, plant leaves)
- Secondary accent for a subtle highlight (optional): Soft terracotta (#D97A63) on a tiny label or icon
- Line work (if used): Warm gray (#7A7A7A)
Imagery style
- Illustrated, not photographic: clean vector or line illustration of a serene home corner—open shelving with neatly stacked boxes, a woven basket, a folded throw, and one leafy plant. Keep objects simple, geometric, and with generous negative space.
- Small icons (very subtle) tucked near the subtitle or in the illustration: a label tag, a calendar, a folded T-shirt. Keep them tiny and minimal.
Layout and hierarchy
- Top third: Title (big), then subtitle just below. Plenty of spacing—don’t cram.
- Middle: The vignette illustration, about 60–70% width, breathing room around it.
- Bottom: Author name, then the tiny English tagline if you include it.
- Generous margins; avoid borders.
Texture
- Optional super-subtle paper grain so it doesn’t feel sterile. Keep it nearly invisible (2–5% opacity) so it won’t muddy on smaller screens.
Accessibility and thumbnail check
- Contrast: Title charcoal on light background passes easily.
- Title size: At least 33–40% of cover width at full size so it stays readable when shrunk.
- Avoid thin strokes and busy details that disappear at thumbnail size.
Format and export
- Aspect ratio: 1.6:1 (portrait)
- Size: 2560 px (height) × 1600 px (width)
- File: JPEG or PNG, RGB color, 300 ppi (keeps edges crisp), under 10 MB if possible.
- Keep text as vector until export for sharper edges.
Optional variants (if you want choices)
- Photo-based: Soft-focus photo of a sunlit shelf with baskets and a plant; overlay a semi-transparent cream rectangle behind the title for contrast. Keep it warm and real, not stock-photo cheesy.
- Dark mode twist: Charcoal background (#222222), title in warm white (#F2F2F2), line illustration in sage and off-white. Still minimalist, just moodier.
Micro details that make it feel “organized”
- Tiny label tag on one box with a neat sans-serif “衣物 / CLOSET” in 8–10 pt at full size—just enough to hint at systems.
- A gentle shadow under the shelf so it doesn’t float awkwardly.
- Use a neat centered grid, or align left with a strong margin; pick one and keep it consistent.
Vibe check
- Calm, warm, and helpful—not preachy, not sterile. The cover should promise clarity without minimalism-for-minimalism’s-sake. Think: approachable expert who brings a label maker and tea.
That’s the whole package—clean typography, soothing colors, simple illustration, and rock-solid readability at every size.
