Love Lgbtq Plus Book Cover Design (Evoking sadness, despair, and madness)

Visuals: A semi-realistic, melancholic illustration of a lone hippopotamus partially submerged in rippling water that stretches infinitely into the distance, tinged with subtle gradients of blue and yellow. Surrounding the hippopotamus are faint, ghostly silhouettes of undefined figures emerging from the water, representing fading connections and emotions. Above the water lies an ominous, cloudy sky that feels heavy, yet within it breaks a soft ray of light—a subtle gesture toward love amidst despair.

Typography: A handwritten script font for the title "Hippopotamus in the Water," evoking intimacy and raw emotion, with slight distressing in the letters to mirror madness. "Noah van Sloten" set in a simple, serif font to contrast but maintain elegance, kept small and unobtrusive at the bottom corner.

Layout: The hippopotamus illustration takes up the center, with the title floating above it along the upper-third line. The author’s name rests discreetly in the bottom-right corner. The water creates a natural dividing line in the composition, with reflections subtly blending the title and author name into the imagery.

Explanation: The visual composition captures the sadness, despair, madness, and love themes by isolating the hippopotamus in a vast sea, its ripples and surrounding silhouettes symbolizing the complexity of human connection and emotion. The stormy yet contrasting sky introduces warmth and hope amid despair. Typography choices amplify emotional resonance; the handwritten title gives an authentic, vulnerable feel, while the serif author name conveys professionalism. The matte finish creates depth while avoiding shine that could distract from the somber mood, while UV treatment on ripples imbues a delicate shimmer to draw focus to the water's symbolism. Every detail is curated for emotional impact while staying loyal to the essence of the LGBTQ+ genre themes.