Designer: Uncle Bob
title: The History of Forgetting: Los Angeles and the Era
author: Norman M. Klein
publisher: Verso, 1997
Designer: Uncle Bob
title: The History of Forgetting: Los Angeles and the Era
author: Norman M. Klein
publisher: Verso, 1997
While I’m not particularly impressed by the type or layout or general treatment of the specific elements, this cover really connects on a visceral level.
The hazy collage and the letter-spaced type truly says “forgetting”. Looking at this brings on a sense of missing, or having forgotten something.
In that respect, it’s one of the most effective covers that I’ve seen.
— Ben Pieratt, 2006-07-07 08:39:00
For an even more effective version of this look, check out Archie Ferguson’s hardcover jacket design for “The Book of Revelation” by Rupert Thompson. Same typeface, same vanishing/revealing take on the photography, but Archie’s is definitely the more artfully done cover.
— Mark Melnick, 2006-07-07 08:51:00
ah. yes. very nice indeed.
I’ll post that next.
(for those of you who are curious, here’s the cover.)
— Ben Pieratt, 2006-07-07 09:55:00
oh wow. I got shivers when I clicked on the Thompson book. I love how two artists can have similar ideas, but one may resonate with the viewer while another one doesn’t.
— renee, 2006-07-07 10:44:00
Perhaps it’s also because illustration for the Thompson book uses just one element—the hands. The Klein one has too many and distracts from the effect of fading.
— Leon Lim, 2006-07-08 11:06:00
I think the spine of the book, which is bright red, adds a lot to this cover. it feels strangely appropriate to me: los angeles, the city that is always right there in our sight, yet has no past we are aware of.
btw, a great book by norman klein, who incidentally also teaches a class at art center college of design.
— chris pc, 2006-07-24 14:49:00