Behind the Cover: Cradled by Grace
Thank you to everyone who submitted their work for consideration. The cover design call for Cradled by Grace is now closed, and I’m excited to be moving forward with a designer.
I’m keeping the original creative brief below as a glimpse into the thought and intention behind the cover design.
I’m looking for an illustrator/designer to create the cover for my upcoming book, Cradled by Grace: Finding God’s Love as a First-Time Mom.
This is a part-memoir, part-devotional journey through the first year of motherhood. Through honest stories and biblical reflection, the book explores the vulnerability, uncertainty, joy, and spiritual growth that come with becoming a mother. At its heart is the reminder that while a new mother is learning to care for her baby, she is also being held by God’s grace.
The Creative Direction
I’m envisioning a modern, intimate, and elegant cover with a warm, feminine aesthetic.
The central visual concept is a subtle illustration of a mother gently cradling her baby, surrounded or “cradled” by a soft form that suggests God’s presence and care. I want the image to communicate that both mother and child are held by grace.
The illustration should feel:
Tender and peaceful
Warm and emotionally honest
Modern rather than traditional
Simple and elegant rather than sentimental
Relatable, with few distinctive characteristics so readers can see themselves in it
I’m drawn to delicate line art and soft digital illustration, paired with clean, understated typography.
Colour & Style
The palette will lean toward warm ivory, soft sand, muted rose, dusty burgundy, and gentle beige.
I’m especially drawn to the quiet, personal quality of covers such as A Mom Is Born by Rachael Elmore and the soft, inviting aesthetic of You Are Made For This by Melissa Horvath.
I’m open to the designer’s creative interpretation and original execution of the concept.
The Visual Direction
I’d like to avoid:
Overtly religious imagery such as crosses, Bibles, doves, praying hands, or church imagery
Literal depictions of Jesus or God
Sentimental or cliché motherhood imagery
A dated or overly traditional Christian publishing aesthetic
Designs that feel visually crowded or overly decorative
Project Scope
The project includes a full print cover (front, spine, and back) as well as an ebook cover.
The final package will need print-ready and digital files, editable source files, and a text-free version of the artwork for marketing and promotional use.
Trim size: 5.5" × 8.5"
Estimated length: 150–165 pages
Publishing: Amazon KDP
Completion: 4 weeks from start date
A full creative brief with additional visual references, technical requirements, deliverables, and usage rights is available for download below.
What’s Next?
The cover is now in development, and I can't wait to share it when it's ready.
