New Book

Jason Cole

Jason Cole

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Jason Cole
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Hey all,

Check this out.


POTA_book_cover.jpg



This is the potential new cover for my new book. Any feedback on it?

Like / dislike / help please.....

Im better at writing than designing covers... lol
 
Jason, whilst I like your photo style and techniques I find your cover one I would keep walking on by. A bit too "snake skin" salesman'esque for me.

I think i'd move all the bullet points to the back cover or inside the book. I'd also lose the cole studios and web address. Your photo's sell themselves. Let them sell the book to the prospective customer who will no doubt be captivated (as many are here) once they start to flip the pages...

ps: I'm assuming your book will be sold on shelves and not shrink wrapped for any reason...
 
hepburn said:
Jason, whilst I like your photo style and techniques I find your cover one I would keep walking on by. A bit too "snake skin" salesman'esque for me.

I think i'd move all the bullet points to the back cover or inside the book. I'd also lose the cole studios and web address. Your photo's sell themselves. Let them sell the book to the prospective customer who will no doubt be captivated (as many are here) once they start to flip the pages...

ps: I'm assuming your book will be sold on shelves and not shrink wrapped for any reason...
Click to expand...

I agree, I would also remove the 'by' from the 'By Jason Cole' and then make the Jason Cole slightly bigger to equal the size of the 'Cole Studios and Logo', I would also have the Cole Studios (and logo) in a similar horizontal position to your name.

Good luck, and save me a copy when it's finished!
 
It's very busy. More like a flyer or ad poster than a book cover.

I'd skip the images at the left and focus on the main image . . maybe have them on the edge of the reverse cover?

The web addy on the front cover is a bit OTT. But then I'm a Brit and we're notoriously more reserved ;)

Hope this helps.
 
it's alive said:
It's very busy. More like a flyer or ad poster than a book cover.
Click to expand...
I was just about to say this.

Lose the images down the left. Get rid of the web address. And possibly also lose the bullet points. I'm not sure about the title font - almost but not quite.
 
I see two main problems with this cover:

1) It's a photography book, but all the photos on the cover are either small or obscured by text!

2) It's way too busy - not doing it's job!


The job of the cover isn't to tell someone everything about the book (the reverse is where they'll look for that info, and the contents page) - the job of the cover is to hook people and get them to pick up the book.

I'd echo the same points as others:

- Lose the images on the left, they are too small to be appreciated.

- Lose all the bullets - move them to the reverse cover, where they quickly convey to an interested person more about what the book covers.

- Lose the web address - it serves no purpose on the cover.

- Lose the overlayed model on the sky.

All of the above also disrupt and obscure the main photo on the cover, which is a fantastic shot and so unobscured it will draw someones eye to it. Then the brief explanation you have makes them realise this book covers what they are interested in (photography business), they then pick it up and turn it over.
 
I totally agree with Tom's advice...
 
Sorry Jason have to agree with above comments. First thought that came to mind was it reminds me of one of the mags from the 70s or 80s True Romance or something like that It dosnt attract my attention as a photography book cover
Bob
 
just my two pence worth as said lose the pictures on left to the back cover along with the bullet points also lose the web addy, I like the main picture but unsure about the smaller picture, to me it looks like she's wearing a wedding dress and the bloke is wearing a hoodie, dosn't look like a wedding shot.
saying all that hope its available to buy over the internet and good luck with the project. :thumbs:
 
To me it looks more like a back cover rather than a front cover (if that makes sense)

I would lose the side images, keep the main title at the top, the auther at the bottom and make the main image cover the whole page, lose all the parts of the book in white too, have that on maye the inside of the cover?


regards
jason
 
To busy, get rid of the bullet points put them inside the book, you are an amazing photographer use a single picture to demonstrate the book i am sure you can do this.
 
If the book is by you mate them just put "Stuff you need to know about photography" By Jason Cole. Plain white cover no more no less. Anyone who knows or has seen your work will need to buy that book, anyone who doesn't know your work will pass it by. All th ebetter for the rest of us.

In all seriousness though it seems like an advert for one of those "adult only" islands off the coast of somewhere I can't spell.
 
I like the idea of the book and it's one I'd consider purchasing. Sort the cover out and your there. I would also consider concentrating on people photography as there are other books available that concentrate on landscapes, products and non people.
 
I would buy the book as I have taken time to read the cover here, but in saying that I wouldn't stop in the shop to look at it. It gives me the impression of a book you might see on the shopping channel. Having seen your images, it doesn't give the first impression you would deserve.

Keep the cover clean and simple, focus on one main image that encompasses everything you want to say, and move the points to the back or inside cover.

The main title is far too busy as well, you need to jump off the shelf without making it difficult to see what it says.
 
I feel the same way in that it is far too busy and needs to catch the eye, simplicity wins every time.
 
I'd buy a copy, but that cover is way too complicated. Needs simplifying.
 
I have to agree with everyone, its too busy, i would expect to see them bullet points either on the back or inside flap, as side above the images down the side are too small, i think just one large image on the front with the title, then your cole studios logo and you name in bottom corners, would be better.

just my opinion.

either way, good luck with the book and i will keep an eye on this thread and see your final design. :thumbs:

Chris
 
Again, I have to agree with everyone else. Get a designer to do your design.
Also, the main title font/text is hard to read, and over-adorned, and the use of drop shadows is a crime (also your drop shadows are all of different depths).

What you need is something simple and effective, with a lot more space to breathe.
 
Looked again - when (please) you move the bullet points to the back cover, I'd consider turning them into a couple of short paragraphs - I think that would make it feel more like it was offering advice more than being a powerpoint presentation. If you do keep the bullet points, use some proper bullet point symbols instead of asterisks.
 
Hopkin Green Frog said:
I'd consider turning them into a couple of short paragraphs - I think that would make it feel more like it was offering advice more than being a powerpoint presentation. If you do keep the bullet points, use some proper bullet point symbols instead of asterisks.
Click to expand...

Yep....less bullet points. introduce short benefit statements. How will the book benefit the reader?
 
Much prefer version 2, far simpler and much more eye catching!
This is a matter of taste so many will disagree but I don't feel that the semi-transparent girl adds anything to the cover. But, equally, I can see how the empty space might not be appealing either.
 
Just my personal opinion, but i have a slight problem with the couple kissing in the water, i find it to be a little Surreal, i believe a modern styled image would fit in with the rest of the cover more...... like i say, just my own personal preference.

Either way I'll be looking out for copy when you release it.
 
Don't like the couple kissing either,looks like he is trying resuscitate her and lose the chavvy looking hoop earrings from the other lady too.
Also find the writing in the bottom right corner very hard to read

Sorry mate, but don't like any of it much and wouldn't make me want to pick it up and have a flick through which is what I suspect you are after
 
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