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Posted on 08/05/08 5:29:25 PM |
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Babybiker
Shadow Spectaculator Posts: 151 Reply  |
Book Cover Design
I have not been posting on here much recently due to a couple of jobs that have kept me busy, but I have been lurking! One job that I have been asked to do is the Cover Design for the Autobiography of a Drag Queen (You couldn't make this stuff up, could you?!) With the Author's permission, who incidentally likes the design, I thought I could get some feedback from members of the forum. I am still waiting to get the final dimensions of the cover - this will be decided by the publishers when typesetting the book, so for now it is in a standard paper format (A4). Any comments, positive or negative would be very much appreciated. BB  |
Posted on 08/05/08 5:30:03 PM |
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Babybiker
Shadow Spectaculator Posts: 151 Reply |
Re: Book Cover Design
And the Back Cover...  |
Posted on 08/05/08 5:46:09 PM |
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katew
Virtual Virtuoso Posts: 681 Reply  |
Re: Book Cover Design
I really like that, particularly the framing effect on the front cover. |
Posted on 08/05/08 9:30:37 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7042 Reply  |
Re: Book Cover Design
Yes - I like these, a lot of thought has obviously gone into them. A few points, though. 1. Don't like the font for the main headline, or the author's name. It's a rounded Helvetica and you really need something more elegant for this purpose. I don't know what fonts you have loaded, but you might take a look at Georgia, which you will have, and which will do a good job here. 2. The pun in the title works well, but no need to lay it on so thick! Keep the text all the same size here, and let the play on words do its own job. 3. The gold effect works well on the title - is this Layer Styles? Try changing the bevel technique from Smooth to Chisel Hard for a stronger version. And the drop shadow is too far away: the text should look like it's embossed, rather than floating above the page. 4. Had you considered hand colouring the photo on the front? Might make for an interesting retro look, if you can be bothered. 5. I have no problem with four photos on the back, but they're all essentially the same photo! Do the extra three really add anything? Love the sequinned background! |
Posted on 13/05/08 04:43:41 AM |
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Babybiker
Shadow Spectaculator Posts: 151 Reply |
Re: Book Cover Design
Thank you Kate and Steve for the comments. The original Gold effect was achieved by using Eye-Candy's Chrome Filter, then a Hue/Saturation change. Whilst an easier way to get the desired (?) results, it is not as flexible as using Layer Effects. So taking your advice Steve, I have used this method for the text. Kate, The Picture frame was just a case of selecting the photo/ modify selection / Border / New Layer / Fill then run the Chrome Filter (Although Layer Effects would do the same job, just without the subtle rippling) Having had some time free yesterday, I have re - worked the cover, sent it to the author, and discussed it with him. Thankfully, he liked all the changes, except for the handpainting of the photo, so that has been reverted back to the original design. Changing the font to Georgia certainly works a lot better, and I am very happy with the results! Now I just have to find the time to work on the back cover, before waiting to see how thick the book is going to be for the spine, and what format the publishers want to print it in. Many thanks for your time and your comments, BB  |
Posted on 13/05/08 09:47:15 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7042 Reply |
Re: Book Cover Design
Yes - I prefer that. However... 1. Perhaps Georgia Bold would hold the gold effect better, though 2. Starting each word of the title with a capital letter is wrong - books don't do this. 3. The word spacing in the title is a little awkward. Try either: Celebrity life can be a drag or Celebrity life can be a drag 4. That 'By' is clumsy. Get rid of it! I've never seen a 'By' on a book cover! |