One of the hallmarks of a professionally published book is the attention to the details. When my team designer Kerrie Lian designed the interior of my client’s book, she used several elements related to airplane pilots to carry a graphic theme throughout the book.

The title of the book was: If the Customer’s the Copilot, You’re in the Wrong Seat. My client, Brian Dennis used a pilot metaphor when he wrote and self-published this book on customer service. Marty Petersen, our team illustrator created the stunning cover illustration of the interior of an airplane cockpit. Here is the front cover:

This is the first chapter’s title page. You’ll notice a pilot’s wings as an clever receptacle for the chapter number.

Carry a graphic theme throughout the book using special bullets and glyphs:

The page below shows the wings around the page number at the bottom of the page and a lightning bolt “flash” icon that conjures images of flight used as decorative bullets. You don’t always have to use boring, simple round bullets!

Here is a close up of the unique flash bullets Kerrie used:

Look at “glyphs” in your page layout program to see all the symbols that are included with your fonts. In addition, there are numerous fonts you can purchase or download that are a collection of symbols, ranging from funky icons to scientific or mathematical marks.

Shown below is where the glyphs are located in Adobe InDesign. I’ve enlarged a portion of the glyphs window too. You will discover all kinds of cool glyphs that you can use in your book layout.

Here’s an enlargement so you can clearly see some of the glyphs:

Finally to wrap up the theme figuratively and literally, Marty carried the sunset view from the cockpit across the spine onto the back cover. You’ll notice the back cover also uses the same flash bullets. Here’s a link where you can see more of Marty’s wonderful illustrations: MartyArt.com

All good authors recognize the importance of carrying an editorial theme throughout the book, but sometimes they neglect to carry a graphic theme throughout the book. This oft-forgotten little detail will add visual interest and value to your book.