Not to dismiss Chip Kidd’s design on these, but the hero of this three cover series is the photographer. Thomas Allen works with old books (usually pulp covers) and converts them into cleverly structured dioramas.
I really can’t express how awesome I find these. I’d like to see him take a stab at old pulp scifi novels.
You can check out a small slide show of his work here.
I’ve loved Thomas Allen’s work since the first time I saw it. It’s one of those styles of photography that would be impossible to replicate without reference back to the originator.
Just curious, but why does a cover have to have the words ‘a novel’ on it? Surely it’s placement in a store or a brief flick through would show what it is?
the out-of-focus background elements really make them for me
—
, 2006-10-04 20:18:00 -0400
the type seems to really kill these. the treatments are all too loud and inconsistent from each other, and take attention away from what is a really good idea
—
mike
, 2006-10-05 09:28:00 -0400
The diorama covers are brilliant, and I agree – they should be left alone with a quieter typeface. The bright, bold colors of the font do whittle off the dark background and thus spoil the effect of the dioramas.
Agreed. Just simple Trade Gothic caps would have pushed the images foward. I see that he’s refering to a pulp type treatment but it undercuts the whole thing. And, of course, filling in the black space flattens out the images.
—
, 2006-12-05 15:34:00 -0500
Kiddies, anyone who thinks they can design a cover for James Ellroy with ‘quiet type’ is DREAMING. Wake up! He’s the most raucous writer on the planet! I couldn’t get away with that if I even wanted to, which I didn’t. And anyway, compared to earlier designs I’ve done for him, this IS quiet.
—
, 2006-12-17 06:24:00 -0500
Obvious question alert—anyone else get reminded of the movie posters for Pulp Fiction?
I agree with the others about the type, despite Chip’s defense. Loudness aside, it seems like it wasn’t even kerned, just slapped in on the computer— am I wrong here?
—
, 2007-02-16 21:18:00 -0500
Good call, Ryan.
The second “l” and thr following “R” need to be scooted to the left.
So strange… Chip Kidd getting credit for Thomas Allen’s work… Thomas Allen getting credit for long-forgotten nameless artists’ works.
—
, 2007-07-02 07:52:00 -0400
Hi! My name is Megan and I want to be a graphic designer for my career. A couple of weeks ago our class looked at your work and it really inspried me! You do a great job with the bookcovers! I love your work! I hope I can make my dream a reality and become a great designer like you!
—
, 2007-11-20 11:32:00 -0500
Yes Thomas Allen’s work. Not kidd. Allen deserve all credit and the type designer. You can see More of Kidd and Allen in this issue of All-Story.
It seems to me that you can debate the finer points of the design but it’s foolish to say that Kidd is getting undue credit. His vision is what placed Thomas Allen’s incredible art onto these covers.
To additionally criticize that the typography should recede to let the photos be properly appreciated is bizarre—the whole point of a book cover is to sell the words, or at least the big two: James Ellroy.
I’m not adding these comments simply to be critical myself; rather, I think it’s important to keep criticism within the realm of what a designer is truly responsible for in his/her work. Not what an artistic ideal would be.
Blood on the Moon
Not to dismiss Chip Kidd’s design on these, but the hero of this three cover series is the photographer. Thomas Allen works with old books (usually pulp covers) and converts them into cleverly structured dioramas.
I really can’t express how awesome I find these. I’d like to see him take a stab at old pulp scifi novels.
You can check out a small slide show of his work here.
— , 2006-10-03 03:27:00 -0400
here: http://www.foleygallery.com/artists/artist_ins.php3?artist=8
— , 2006-10-03 04:50:00 -0400
This whole series is fantastic. They’re quite possibly the best covers of the decade.
— , 2006-10-03 04:57:00 -0400
i wonder if there is a copyright issue regarding the old covers being re-used here?
— clara , 2006-10-03 05:41:00 -0400
I wish the type was a little quieter even though it’s representing the genre. The book cover idea is freakin creative.
— , 2006-10-03 05:51:00 -0400
d’oH. Link fixed.
Thanks dave.
— Ben Pieratt , 2006-10-03 08:20:00 -0400
I’ve loved Thomas Allen’s work since the first time I saw it. It’s one of those styles of photography that would be impossible to replicate without reference back to the originator.
Just curious, but why does a cover have to have the words ‘a novel’ on it? Surely it’s placement in a store or a brief flick through would show what it is?
— Graham G , 2006-10-03 09:48:00 -0400
Chip Kidd also used Thomas Allen’s pictures in the design for the most recent Zoetrope. He writes about it here:
http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?action=show_story&story_id=317
— , 2006-10-03 11:32:00 -0400
I agree with “I wish the type was a little quieter…” because I also agree that those images are quite brilliant.
— Richard , 2006-10-04 05:42:00 -0400
the out-of-focus background elements really make them for me
— , 2006-10-04 20:18:00 -0400
the type seems to really kill these. the treatments are all too loud and inconsistent from each other, and take attention away from what is a really good idea
— mike , 2006-10-05 09:28:00 -0400
The diorama covers are brilliant, and I agree – they should be left alone with a quieter typeface. The bright, bold colors of the font do whittle off the dark background and thus spoil the effect of the dioramas.
— cfk , 2006-10-05 17:14:00 -0400
awesome! the photos make the cover..
— eric , 2006-10-05 18:23:00 -0400
xvc
— sdf , 2006-10-20 01:55:00 -0400
this suxx
— qwe , 2006-10-20 01:55:00 -0400
>the type seems to really kill these
Agreed. Just simple Trade Gothic caps would have pushed the images foward. I see that he’s refering to a pulp type treatment but it undercuts the whole thing. And, of course, filling in the black space flattens out the images.
— , 2006-12-05 15:34:00 -0500
Kiddies, anyone who thinks they can design a cover for James Ellroy with ‘quiet type’ is DREAMING. Wake up! He’s the most raucous writer on the planet! I couldn’t get away with that if I even wanted to, which I didn’t. And anyway, compared to earlier designs I’ve done for him, this IS quiet.
— , 2006-12-17 06:24:00 -0500
Obvious question alert—anyone else get reminded of the movie posters for Pulp Fiction?
— Paul Santos , 2007-02-15 13:31:00 -0500
I agree with the others about the type, despite Chip’s defense. Loudness aside, it seems like it wasn’t even kerned, just slapped in on the computer— am I wrong here?
— , 2007-02-16 21:18:00 -0500
Good call, Ryan.
The second “l” and thr following “R” need to be scooted to the left.
— paul merrill , 2007-02-18 23:17:00 -0500
Ooops – that was supposed to be:
In “ELLROY”, the second “L” and the following “R” need to be scooted to the left.
— paul merrill , 2007-02-18 23:20:00 -0500
wassatfont
?
— , 2007-03-04 12:15:00 -0500
So strange… Chip Kidd getting credit for Thomas Allen’s work… Thomas Allen getting credit for long-forgotten nameless artists’ works.
— , 2007-07-02 07:52:00 -0400
Hi! My name is Megan and I want to be a graphic designer for my career. A couple of weeks ago our class looked at your work and it really inspried me! You do a great job with the bookcovers! I love your work! I hope I can make my dream a reality and become a great designer like you!
— , 2007-11-20 11:32:00 -0500
Yes Thomas Allen’s work. Not kidd. Allen deserve all credit and the type designer. You can see More of Kidd and Allen in this issue of All-Story.
[URL=”http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?issue_id=38”]All-Story Magazine.[/URL]
— , 2008-02-09 10:05:00 -0500
www.all-story.com
— , 2008-02-09 10:07:00 -0500
It seems to me that you can debate the finer points of the design but it’s foolish to say that Kidd is getting undue credit. His vision is what placed Thomas Allen’s incredible art onto these covers.
To additionally criticize that the typography should recede to let the photos be properly appreciated is bizarre—the whole point of a book cover is to sell the words, or at least the big two: James Ellroy.
I’m not adding these comments simply to be critical myself; rather, I think it’s important to keep criticism within the realm of what a designer is truly responsible for in his/her work. Not what an artistic ideal would be.
— , 2008-02-13 18:32:00 -0500
i hate this HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH
— isabel , 2008-04-06 10:28:00 -0400
i hate this HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH
I go to echo park i am 9 and my birthday is april 18th 1998
— , 2008-04-06 10:29:00 -0400