Short story Book Cover Design (Evoking happy, sad, and regretful)

Visuals: A silhouette of a boy with a slightly turned head, walking on a long, winding path that stretches to the horizon. The path is surrounded by fields blending the colors violet, gray, and light brown, symbolizing diverging emotions. The background transitions from a dark, moody sky to a lighter, hopeful horizon. The boy is focused forward, casting a long shadow behind, signifying his reluctance to look back.

Typography: A bold, sans-serif font for the main title in a gradient of violet and gray. The author's name is in a delicate cursive, in light brown at the bottom.

Layout: The title is positioned at the center top, overlaying the sky, while the author's name is at the bottom-right corner, within the fields. The boy's silhouette is centrally placed, with the path leading the viewer's eye from foreground to background.

Explanation: The visual composition captures the emotional journey of the protagonist who is moving forward, in tune with the book's themes of toughness, regret, and hope. The silhouette serves as a powerful symbol, focusing on the action of moving forward and the underlying struggle of leaving the past behind. By incorporating a gradient in the title, the mood transitions smoothly across the cover, mirroring the internal transformations experienced by the character. The typography selection ensures clarity and complements the visual narrative, making it easily recognizable while enhancing the emotional tone. Choosing a matte finish with a slight gloss on the title reinforces the mix of emotions encapsulated by the story, ensuring the cover is both visually and tactilely engaging.