How Do You Like Them?

When you're first writing your book, do you already have the cover design picked out in your mind? Or does the idea of the design come to you while you're writing? I know illustrators usually design the cover, but it's fun to get a general idea of what you want before the illustrator sends you a design. Something I've learned is that your cover is an important marketing tool. If someone is walking through a bookstore and they see your book on the shelf and the cover grabs their interest, they'll take the book off the shelf and read the synopsis on the back. And if the synopsis catches their fancy, then it's to the check-out line with your book.

I know some people like their cover designs to 'pop' (be bright and vibrant) while others prefer their designs to be darker in color to add to the mood of the book. I've seen some designs wrap all the way around the book, to where it stretched from the front of the book to the back where the synopsis is. However, some books limit their designs to just the front of the book. How do you prefer your book designs? Do you like them to wrap around the book or just stick to the front? Also, what's your preference for cover designs? Do you like them to pop or darker in color?