Great critique, Nathaniel. I felt like you read my designer mind with your comments about these covers. I also got a Severance vibe about the first two, which is not bad, but not sure that’s what this author intended. Third cover reminded me of a Hardy Boys Mystery cover.
I think these critiques are so helpful for authors. It would be cool to see an author either take your advice and revise covers or even better, hire you to do your full process, then see the entire spread of covers.
This was a fun read! I rarely get to design fiction so it was interesting to hear how you think about imagery/look/feel a bit differently than non-fiction/academic. Critique is an underrated skill. Being able to do it effectively and being able to accept it effectively are both things that require practice. And callouses. Love it! Happy new year, Nathaniel!
loved this! Your feedback is so thoughtful every time, Michael was right to ask you. I've discovered the word "kerning" today, so thank you (or not, future me will tell) for sending me down that rabbit hole!
Great critique, Nathaniel. I felt like you read my designer mind with your comments about these covers. I also got a Severance vibe about the first two, which is not bad, but not sure that’s what this author intended. Third cover reminded me of a Hardy Boys Mystery cover.
I think these critiques are so helpful for authors. It would be cool to see an author either take your advice and revise covers or even better, hire you to do your full process, then see the entire spread of covers.
Thanks Mike! I appreciate the affirmation :)
In my publishing of this collaboration, I include the revision at the end.
Totally agree about the Hardy Boys vibe.
https://mmacfadden.substack.com/p/book-cover-design-a-case-study
This was a fun read! I rarely get to design fiction so it was interesting to hear how you think about imagery/look/feel a bit differently than non-fiction/academic. Critique is an underrated skill. Being able to do it effectively and being able to accept it effectively are both things that require practice. And callouses. Love it! Happy new year, Nathaniel!
Happy new year, Rae!
I don’t often do fiction either, but I’d like to do more. This was good exercise for my budding art direction muscles.
I immediately thought Six Feet Under with the first image. 😁
They are each significantly different covers. None of them quite nailing a fab design or font yet.
Playing with greeting cards incorporated into the design would make a lot of sense.
loved this! Your feedback is so thoughtful every time, Michael was right to ask you. I've discovered the word "kerning" today, so thank you (or not, future me will tell) for sending me down that rabbit hole!
Thank you Rose!
You’ll never look at text the same way ever again 🤓