We were asked to select four books genres and using the Pantone colour guides locate one dominant colour that represented the genre as a whole (left). In order to do this we looked generally at a range of book covers from each genre and selected a colour that appeared most often in their designs. Building on this we then had to select a colour that we considered to be a less conformist yet still interesting choice of colour to represent the genre (right). These came from our own perceptions based on prior knowledge of the genre through books, films and specific authors.
Mystery
The most common colour for 'mystery' novels was a rich shade of
blood red but a dark, grey-navy is perhaps better suited to the genre
as it is most often associated with the night or the deep ocean.
Science Fiction
Perhaps surprisingly, the most common colour used within 'science fiction' novels
was a shade of pumpkin orange. However, a neon green could be more representative
of the genre as it brings to mind scenes from classic cult movies, such as Ghostbusters.
Horror
The most obvious colour associated with 'horror' is a bright blood red, but a more common
colour for this genre was a darker wine-coloured pink hue. 'Horror' as a genre generally brings
to mind darker colours and so an earthy brown is also representative without being cliché.
Fantasy
A bright navy blue is used extensively throughout 'fantasy' book covers
but purple has many associations with this and is historically associated
with magic and the supernatural, so is better suited to this genre.