Not to be completely superficial here, but the aesthetic is enough to sell me on this cover. I’m just a complete sucker for geometric shapes overlayed on photography.
The book is a memoir which covers the lives of several close friends. This explains the distant and elevated view of the B&W photograph.
I have no idea what the circles are for. But, as stated, I’m choosing to ignore that fact. heh.
I’d like it a whole lot more if the type was centered in the circles, but they’re all just slightly off-center—not enough to look intentional, just enough to look imperfect.
It would catch my eye in the book store, but then my mind would shift passed the design (which is what should happen) and focus on what I think the book is about (based on the initial design)...I’m seeing some sort of mid-century Harvard drama. Hmm, I’ll pass, thanks!
Not for me either, for the same reasons listed above (though I also usually love the overlay of bold shapes on photography).
There’s also a lot of covers using these flowchart lines between shapes and text blocks (at least I can remember quite a few from these Covers pages). They often have no logic: making connections between boxes which have no adjacent or adverse relation to one another, and often not executed well enough to simply just look effective. Here, at least, the background photo lends some structural support to the horizontal and vertical lines.
Finally, if this is a memoir, the photo seems to lack any personal or distinctive punch: it just looks like some vague, generic library find.
—
, 2007-03-13 02:13:00 -0400
I like the photo but the cover lacks punch and clarity.
—
, 2007-03-13 03:35:00 -0400
Since there are 4 circles and 4 people in the photo, I took the circles to represent characters in the story, with differing sizes denoting the protagonist and supporting characters.
That said, I do agree with the awkward spaces aorund the type. This could be better, technically speaking.
—
, 2007-03-13 04:35:00 -0400
Why do so many people think it’s a memoir? It clearly says “a novel” in one of the text bubbles.
—
, 2007-03-13 09:20:00 -0400
James – It’s a novel written in the style of a memoir.
It would be interesting to see a collection of the best and worst covers ridiculously made to incorporate the “a novel” line. It deadens the impact of many covers (imagine how the balance of this cover might have benefited from it’s absence for instance). The worst crimes are those where it almost single-handedly unpicks the beauty or dynamism of a great cover (remember this example from a past Covers posting?: http://covers.fwis.com/briefhistoryofthedead). However, one of the better treatments I’ve seen on these pages: http://covers.fwis.com/neverletmego.
—
, 2007-03-13 11:48:00 -0400
I have to say, Matt, that I think the cover would fall over if it didn’t have that small “a novel” circle balancing it out.
I think that this is another great example of the semi-diagrammatic representation of text with circles (possibly in combination with photo-material) – can it be called a motif, or a technique? Remember the fine work of Peter Mendelsund for
‘A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines’ http://covers.fwis.com/amadmandreamsofturingmachines
True, the text-in-circles motif is used regularly, in ads in particular. But in this design the the size, and the location of the circles obviously has been tinkered with a lot of care, and the result has depth and appeal.
Does not the mastery lay not only in devising new themes but in finding hidden, beautiful possibilities in traditional techniques?
The work shows how much expressive potential the text-in-circles techniques has.
I would agree with Ben, though, that this style appeals to people who are inclined to geometric designs (not everybody does).
“that small “a novel” circle balancing it out”—Exactly! Balance is the word here. Balance that is imbalance at the same time (dynamic, multi-level balance-imbalance). This is how the designer has developed an expressive language that can convey something important about the contents of the book. Nice work
The assymetrical crop, off-center and awkwardly spaced type within the clumsy flowchart suggest the characters of this novel will not be leading the linear, predictable lives they might have expected when entering college. The b/w image (check the haircuts!), from an era when college was considered a slam dunk ticket to success, reinforces this impression. An effective design. We’d have to read the book to learn whether it’s a fair representation of content.
—
, 2007-03-13 23:59:00 -0400
It seems weak. It also seems too effeminate for the subject. Agreeing with the above comments about the balance of the page,type treatment &c.
It seems more like a design ‘template’ as I could see just about anything in place of the current picture and type. New book? Swap it out.
—
, 2007-03-14 07:12:00 -0400
I don’t like it. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but it seems to be vague and totally lacking direction. The circles are big and brassy, and they dominate what is an otherwise interesting photograph, but a photograph that loses its life squashed under those overdone circles.
Hmm, I like the diagonal placement of the signature, especially the way it intersects with the horizontal placement of the title type; the signature seems to be borne aloft by the doves, a nice touch. The purple strip of icons, however, is killing it for me.
—
, 2007-03-15 01:39:00 -0400
The circles on the cover remind me of a mobile art from the ‘60s. It feels like more time was spent on the placement of the circles, less on the photo – which carries most of the message. This cover is visually compelling to look at but that’s where my interest dies off.
Here’s a way to improve the disconnect between the photo and circles: What about having the vertical lines intersect with each person’s head, like thought bubbles? Any thoughts or is it too obvious?
Matters of Honor
Not to be completely superficial here, but the aesthetic is enough to sell me on this cover. I’m just a complete sucker for geometric shapes overlayed on photography.
The book is a memoir which covers the lives of several close friends. This explains the distant and elevated view of the B&W photograph.
I have no idea what the circles are for. But, as stated, I’m choosing to ignore that fact. heh.
— , 2007-03-12 12:28:00 -0400
Sorry. Not doing it for me.
— Hooser , 2007-03-12 14:12:00 -0400
I was certain this was John Gall’s design
— , 2007-03-12 14:36:00 -0400
I’d like it a whole lot more if the type was centered in the circles, but they’re all just slightly off-center—not enough to look intentional, just enough to look imperfect.
— Lester , 2007-03-12 15:58:00 -0400
nope, hate this one, the white space isn’t used correctly in the circles, and the script is horrible spaced
— brett jordan , 2007-03-12 22:55:00 -0400
It would catch my eye in the book store, but then my mind would shift passed the design (which is what should happen) and focus on what I think the book is about (based on the initial design)...I’m seeing some sort of mid-century Harvard drama. Hmm, I’ll pass, thanks!
(Nice design though)
— Blake , 2007-03-13 01:35:00 -0400
Not for me either, for the same reasons listed above (though I also usually love the overlay of bold shapes on photography).
There’s also a lot of covers using these flowchart lines between shapes and text blocks (at least I can remember quite a few from these Covers pages). They often have no logic: making connections between boxes which have no adjacent or adverse relation to one another, and often not executed well enough to simply just look effective. Here, at least, the background photo lends some structural support to the horizontal and vertical lines.
Finally, if this is a memoir, the photo seems to lack any personal or distinctive punch: it just looks like some vague, generic library find.
— , 2007-03-13 02:13:00 -0400
I like the photo but the cover lacks punch and clarity.
— , 2007-03-13 03:35:00 -0400
Since there are 4 circles and 4 people in the photo, I took the circles to represent characters in the story, with differing sizes denoting the protagonist and supporting characters.
That said, I do agree with the awkward spaces aorund the type. This could be better, technically speaking.
— , 2007-03-13 04:35:00 -0400
Why do so many people think it’s a memoir? It clearly says “a novel” in one of the text bubbles.
— , 2007-03-13 09:20:00 -0400
James – It’s a novel written in the style of a memoir.
It would be interesting to see a collection of the best and worst covers ridiculously made to incorporate the “a novel” line. It deadens the impact of many covers (imagine how the balance of this cover might have benefited from it’s absence for instance). The worst crimes are those where it almost single-handedly unpicks the beauty or dynamism of a great cover (remember this example from a past Covers posting?: http://covers.fwis.com/briefhistoryofthedead). However, one of the better treatments I’ve seen on these pages: http://covers.fwis.com/neverletmego.
— , 2007-03-13 11:48:00 -0400
I have to say, Matt, that I think the cover would fall over if it didn’t have that small “a novel” circle balancing it out.
— Ben Pieratt , 2007-03-13 15:41:00 -0400
I think that this is another great example of the semi-diagrammatic representation of text with circles (possibly in combination with photo-material) – can it be called a motif, or a technique? Remember the fine work of Peter Mendelsund for
‘A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines’ http://covers.fwis.com/amadmandreamsofturingmachines
True, the text-in-circles motif is used regularly, in ads in particular. But in this design the the size, and the location of the circles obviously has been tinkered with a lot of care, and the result has depth and appeal.
Does not the mastery lay not only in devising new themes but in finding hidden, beautiful possibilities in traditional techniques?
The work shows how much expressive potential the text-in-circles techniques has.
I would agree with Ben, though, that this style appeals to people who are inclined to geometric designs (not everybody does).
— Priit , 2007-03-13 22:55:00 -0400
“that small “a novel” circle balancing it out”—Exactly! Balance is the word here. Balance that is imbalance at the same time (dynamic, multi-level balance-imbalance). This is how the designer has developed an expressive language that can convey something important about the contents of the book. Nice work
— Priit , 2007-03-13 23:00:00 -0400
The assymetrical crop, off-center and awkwardly spaced type within the clumsy flowchart suggest the characters of this novel will not be leading the linear, predictable lives they might have expected when entering college. The b/w image (check the haircuts!), from an era when college was considered a slam dunk ticket to success, reinforces this impression. An effective design. We’d have to read the book to learn whether it’s a fair representation of content.
— , 2007-03-13 23:59:00 -0400
It seems weak. It also seems too effeminate for the subject. Agreeing with the above comments about the balance of the page,type treatment &c.
It seems more like a design ‘template’ as I could see just about anything in place of the current picture and type. New book? Swap it out.
— , 2007-03-14 07:12:00 -0400
I don’t like it. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but it seems to be vague and totally lacking direction. The circles are big and brassy, and they dominate what is an otherwise interesting photograph, but a photograph that loses its life squashed under those overdone circles.
— , 2007-03-14 15:58:00 -0400
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290094017959&rd=1&rd=1
— trc , 2007-03-14 16:37:00 -0400
— , 2007-03-14 17:06:00 -0400
— , 2007-03-14 17:14:00 -0400
haha, nice.
— Ben Pieratt , 2007-03-14 18:42:00 -0400
Hmm, I like the diagonal placement of the signature, especially the way it intersects with the horizontal placement of the title type; the signature seems to be borne aloft by the doves, a nice touch. The purple strip of icons, however, is killing it for me.
— , 2007-03-15 01:39:00 -0400
The circles on the cover remind me of a mobile art from the ‘60s. It feels like more time was spent on the placement of the circles, less on the photo – which carries most of the message. This cover is visually compelling to look at but that’s where my interest dies off.
— Chuck S. , 2007-03-15 07:23:00 -0400
Here’s a way to improve the disconnect between the photo and circles: What about having the vertical lines intersect with each person’s head, like thought bubbles? Any thoughts or is it too obvious?
— Chuck S. , 2007-03-15 07:29:00 -0400
Lines, or maybe a web of lines. Red on pastel yellowish background? Many possibilities … would be a cover of another book? 8)
— priit , 2007-03-18 08:39:00 -0400
Toss the lines.
The lines are toooooOOOOOO0000000 much.
Otherwise, not bad. I like circles. Circles are hott.
— C-Dog , 2007-03-19 01:47:00 -0400
Salinger’s ‘Nine Stories’ in a circle treatment (first edition’s cover design employed a 3×3 grid):
http://orange.s48.xrea.com/mt/archives/images/ninestories.jpg
— priit , 2007-03-21 03:23:00 -0400
Hasn’t this been done a million times on teen girl bookcovers?
— andrew , 2007-03-28 03:13:00 -0400
I agree with C-Dog, ditch the lines… but the technical balance in the circles needs mad work.
— Ned Wright , 2007-04-26 08:44:00 -0400
harbiden ninanamad?m haa :))
— yapay havuz , 2009-12-03 09:05:07 -0500
turkiyem
— garlica , 2010-01-20 07:19:21 -0500
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— red pepper , 2010-01-28 06:07:58 -0500