Take it or leave it

Just 'Cause You Can ...

All right so I'm not a super awesome graphic designer, which is why I try to avoid  making my own graphics whenever possible.

However, I do all right. And the rule you should generally follow is: Just cause you can do an effect, doesn't always mean you SHOULD do it. And for God's sake, don't throw all of them on there at once cause you think it "looks cool". Especially fonts.

Simple is usually the best. You don't need a drop shadow, inner glow, bevel, outer glow and blah blah blah, to make it pop. As long as the font appropriately fits the genre of the cover you're good. I'm not saying there aren't times one or more of those effects might work on a font, but you need to know when to use it. 

Over doing it with effects can turn readers off. As sad as it is, readers really do judge books by covers and they judge things by your graphic abilities. If a cover turns them off many will turn away and not read your book no matter how good your writing is. Same with images you place at the top of of your chapters of your characters and such. Banner images can be just as important as the cover. 

So if you're going to graphic design, practice makes perfect. Lots of practice. Ask people for fake requests so you can practice. Whatever it takes. 

Just don't offend people's eyes with covers and graphics with a massive amount of effects (or textures) on them. 

We, the readers, thank you for it.