In a recent LinkedIn post, Eric Sim shares the behind-the-scenes journey of designing the cover for his new book, “The Magical Stage,” highlighting a valuable lesson learned about the conversion of digital colors to print.
Sim recounts his initial design choices, inspired by magic show stages, which included using light bulbs on the lettering and selecting the Bodoni font for its distinct thick and thin lines. He ordered Marquee LED letters to study the design in detail before finalizing the concept.
“As for font, I chose Bodoni which has extreme thick and thin lines.”
Upon receiving galley copies from his publisher, Sim observed that the dark green title on the cover appeared duller than anticipated when compared to its appearance on his computer screen. This discrepancy led him to a crucial realization about the differences between digital color modes and print.
As Eric Sim notes, his inexperience in design led to an oversight: “Being an inexperienced designer, I didn’t realize RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colours on computer screen when converted to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) for printing can make such a huge difference.”
Adapting the Design for Impact
Sim’s publisher, Hong Koon Chua, offered constructive feedback, suggesting a reevaluation of the cover to ensure it would stand out in bookstores. This encouragement prompted Sim to make swift adjustments.
“It is not too late to relook at the cover and come up with one that stands out when displayed in the bookshops.”
According to Sim, the revisions involved switching to a condensed version of the Bodoni font to accommodate a larger font size and changing the title’s color from dark green to white. These changes were aimed at increasing the prominence and visual appeal of the title.
Lessons in Print Design
The experience underscores a common challenge in graphic design where digital representations do not always translate perfectly to physical print. Sim’s willingness to share this learning curve provides a practical insight for other creators and designers navigating the complexities of print production.
Sim also used the post to announce the upcoming book launch in Singapore, providing key details for those interested in attending. The event is scheduled for November 17th, 2026, at 6 pm, and will be held at M-Space, Maybank Tower. The launch will feature a speech by Sim and a fireside chat with his co-author, Paul McCaffrey, moderated by Marc Leong Yat Ming.
“This is like a gathering of the LinkedIn community.”
The invitation extends an opportunity for the LinkedIn community to connect and celebrate the release of “The Magical Stage.” Registration details were indicated to be available in the comments section of the original post.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Eric Sim on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 2, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →