Comments on: Book Cover Art Chapter 3: Mocking up the Mock-Ups

By: Book Cover Art Chapter 4: More Mocking | REUTS Publications

Book Cover Art Chapter 4: More Mocking | REUTS Publications — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 14:27:11 +0000

[…] As promised, I’m going to recap Kisa’s thoughts on the original cover mock-ups from Chapter 3, and then give you a chance to catch the subtle, and not so subtle, updates in with the new […]

By: Olivier

Olivier — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:26:17 +0000

In reply to Ashley Ruggirello. No problem. I'm curious to see how they'll look next week.

By: Ashley Ruggirello

Ashley Ruggirello — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 00:25:56 +0000

In reply to Olivier.

Thank you for your feedback! I’m no editor by any means, so please excuse any misuse of words, or other errors.

Both these designs in the very early, very rough stages (they quite literally were done within two hours time), and have been elaborated on greatly for next week’s post. We can’t wait to show the progress, and see if anyone’s thoughts have changed.

Thanks for stopping by!
Ashley

By: Olivier

Olivier — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 00:20:48 +0000

“Without any further adieu…”
That’s “ado”, “foolish or unnecessary talk, trouble, or activity”. Adieu is a French word (literally “to God”) meaning “an expression of good wishes when someone leaves”.

I thought the second cover was too busy. I actually had to stare at it for a moment just to figure out what was going on. And I’m not a big fan of the title being tilted diagonally like that.

By: Kisa Whipkey

Kisa Whipkey — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 18:27:38 +0000

In reply to Melody Winter.

Thanks, Melody! Those comments are definitely helpful.

I’m glad you see the correlation between the story and the first cover. I’ve also had feedback that people were surprised the bench wasn’t featured more prominently. But I kind of like that. Featuring the bench was obviously predictable (based on that feedback) and Design 1 thinks outside that box. Ashley’s done a fantastic job so far, and I can tell you that the revisions we’ve already been making are even better! You should see them next week, I think. 😉

By: Melody Winter

Melody Winter — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 18:18:56 +0000

I like the simplicity of the first design. Having the bench as the background without it actually appearing as a bench is a really clever idea. I think the ‘greyness’ of the cover symbolises the grey of the stone statue and it helps draw the viewers attention to the necklace. As a suggestion – I would like to see the necklace with something inside it that links us into the story in another way, (Almost a teaser.) instead of just the blue. I also think the text for the book title needs changing – it’s too plain and insignificant.
The more I look at the second cover, the more I am pulled away from it. It’s too busy and there are too many angles going on. Personally, I don’t like the title on an angle – it actually upsets me a bit. LOL
I would also like to see both books against a dark background. The first book loses some impact as it is a pale cover against a white background and I think it would view differently this way.
Hope my comments are helpful.

By: Kisa Whipkey

Kisa Whipkey — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:25:32 +0000

In reply to Zara Hoffman. Thank you for the feedback, Zara! Part of my decision will be seeing what people have responded to and comparing that to what I had envisioned for my story. There are things I definitely like in the 2nd design, but as a whole, it doesn't feel like it embodies my story as much as the first does. That's an important part, I think. But maybe with some tweaks, it would. We'll see! :)

By: Kisa Whipkey

Kisa Whipkey — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:23:13 +0000

In reply to Summer. Thanks so much for your feedback, Summer! I really appreciate hearing outside opinions. I feel like I may be too close to the story to really see things objectively. I do have one design that pulls at me more than the others, but I'm curious to see what people respond to more. From there, I'll figure out what I want to do. ;)

By: Summer

Summer — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:45:59 +0000

So here are my two cents, for what it’s worth 🙂 I love the background image on Mock #2. I’d like to see that with the blurred focus of the Mock #1 background. I also like the layout and simplicity of the text on Mock #1. #2 has a little too much going on for my taste (again, Kisa may feel totally different!). Then, the final touch, I love the close-up, clear focus on the necklace over a hazy background. If incorporated with the bench background, might dangle it from the top somewhere.

I’m really looking forward to the next post and seeing a final product!

By: Zara Hoffman

Zara Hoffman — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 13:27:16 +0000

As much as the 1st mock-up is pretty, as were the inspirations for it, I liked the 2nd mock-up much better. The color and font, as well as the angle, was much more engaging and intriguing. That's just my opinion. ~Zara Hoffman, Author of The Belgrave Daughter (releasing November 2013)