1. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.

    Which Cover is Best?

    Discussion in 'Cover Design' started by S Raven, Mar 24, 2014.

    Wasn't sure where to post this, hope here is OK.

    Here are two mock-ups of my cover, which do you think is best?
    Cover 1:

    [​IMG]
    Cover 2:



    [​IMG]

    Thanks, Sam.
     
  2. stevesh

    stevesh Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    651
    Location:
    Mid-Michigan USA
    I like them both, but if you're publishing a paper version, I think the second one would stand out more on a shelf.
     
  3. Larissa Redeker

    Larissa Redeker Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2014
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Dark elves lands
    Same opinion as above :)
     
  4. Thomas Kitchen

    Thomas Kitchen Proofreader in the Making Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    1,248
    Likes Received:
    448
    Location:
    I'm Welsh - and proud!
    I think the second one looks a little too "self-published." I would more likely pick up the first design. :)
     
    Thornesque and jazzabel like this.
  5. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    Even though I love the Murakami-like simplicity of the second, the fonts and the hazard sign make it look a bit all over the place. If you wanted to go with that I'd prefer the letters to be more elegant. I have to say that the first looks spot on to me. But both are quite good, did you make them yourself?
     
  6. Michael Collins

    Michael Collins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    73
    Location:
    Rome, Italy.
    I would choose the first one.
    The second is really good, but it would be definitely better with a more "professional" font for the title. I think I would remove the fingerprints as well.

    The letters from the first one on the second design minus the fingerprints would be my style.
     
    peachalulu, sunsplash and Wreybies like this.
  7. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    I agree with @jazzabel as regards the second cover. I too like the starkness of the red on the predominant white background. The handprint and the splat in the corner are great. The individual fingerprints, not so much. And the font, just as Jazz said, needs to be a little less downloaded for free from 1001 Fonts.
     
    Tesoro likes this.
  8. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    Swiped the words clean off of my keyboard. ;)
     
    sunsplash and Michael Collins like this.
  9. David K. Thomasson

    David K. Thomasson Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2013
    Messages:
    344
    Likes Received:
    128
    Location:
    Lynchburg, Virginia
    The first, but I would suggest these adjustments:
    • Close the vertical space between the two title words.
    • Be consistent with the font. Right now zombie is noticeably more condensed than virus, and the stroking on zombie is much thicker than on virus.
    • Put a period after your middle initial.
     
    vera2014 likes this.
  10. Michael Collins

    Michael Collins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    73
    Location:
    Rome, Italy.
    Didn't notice the simultaneous post, what can I say, I like your sense of style.

    ah-ha!
     
  11. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    Here is a new cover:

    [​IMG]

    Is this an approvement?

    Sam
     
  12. Dazen

    Dazen Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2013
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    20
    Personally, I still prefer the original cover, but you will always get differing opinions, so I'd say wait for others to reply and take the general consensus :) Anyway, if you made these yourself, I'm going to have to virtually salute you, my friend. They're brilliant! Either way, whichever one you choose, good luck :D
     
  13. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    @S Raven: No, it still doesn't look right. The letters are too 'cheap' looking for the elegance of red on white. Also, with just the bloody print, it's more suggestive of a forensic police procedural than a zombie apocalypse novel. Google (on Images) 'Murakami covers' for inspiration on how to do the minimalistic design with red, black and white, they do it extremely well.

    Otherwise, your first cover is absolutely spot on, and if I were you, I'd just stick with that. It delivers the message really well and it's very visually appealing, balanced and stylish, looks more professional than some professionally designed covers.
     
  14. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    Here are some spine mock-ups.

    Version 3:
    [​IMG]
    Version 4:
    [​IMG]
     
  15. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    Hard to judge a cover that is not in proportion to a book cover.
     
  16. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    I'll put them altogether into a single file. I'll edit this post and post when done.

    Here a two spine variations:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2014
  17. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    Oh, I get it, it was the spine. D'oh!

    The white is more readable. When I'm scanning the library or bookstore shelves for something off the rack, my eyes skip over hard to read titles. But it may look different on the shelf so it's just my opinion as they are presented here.

    I'd want my book to stand out on that shelf.
     
  18. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    Is that the white spine or white cover?

    Sam
     
  19. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    The spine, purely for how I think it would stand out on a shelf.

    I prefer the black cover. I'd move the title words a little closer together.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2014
    S Raven likes this.
  20. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    How is this looking:?
    [​IMG]
     
    vera2014 likes this.
  21. vera2014

    vera2014 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    71
    Cover 1 rocks! :cool:
     
  22. Thomas Kitchen

    Thomas Kitchen Proofreader in the Making Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    1,248
    Likes Received:
    448
    Location:
    I'm Welsh - and proud!
    Nice one! I would definitely pick that up. One minor niggle, though: could you perhaps change the blood splashes on the back, so it doesn't look like the front? Even if you just reverse them. :)

    Doh. Just realised everything on the front and back covers are the same. Still, a little blood variation wouldn't go amiss. ;)
     
  23. S Raven

    S Raven Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2014
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    West Sussex. UK.
    I've used a cropped portion from the front and add some blood effects.
    This is what I have now:

    [​IMG]
     
  24. Thomas Kitchen

    Thomas Kitchen Proofreader in the Making Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    1,248
    Likes Received:
    448
    Location:
    I'm Welsh - and proud!
    If you reduce the largest patch of blood on the back a tiny bit, then you've sold me. I would genuinely pick up the book and have a look at the inside. I especially like the addition of a time traveller! And that's the first time I've seen endings done like that - of course I've read and played choose-your-own-path books, but that's totally your own choice. This is again interesting.

    This is one reader/writer you have intrigued. :)
     
  25. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    It looks great but I'd have chosen the black spine.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice