Thursday, March 18, 2010

Final decision on cover

The designer has sent me two, slightly different versions of the cover design for The White Gallows. I now need to make a decision. I've shown them to a couple of people and I have a split vote, so I'm hoping you might push me towards the one that you think is the stronger cover (and I appreciate there's not much difference in this - fade out at the top, of fade across the middle). I'm particularly pleased that they have used my photos of choice for both the front and back cover. So, what do you think? Or perhaps it doesn't matter?

16 comments:

Jose Ignacio Escribano said...

Rob you are right they are two close, but if it helps I will go for the first one (above).

Jose Ignacio Escribano said...

Its too close, not two close, sorry

Anonymous said...

I like the second one. Your name stands out just a little better.

Cathy said...

The second one. The title and your name both stand out much better, and the focus of the photo makes more sense. On the first choice, that section at the top that shows the sky and branches is just too distracting.

Dorte H said...

I don´t think there is much difference, but I don´t like the orange giraffe or whatever it is on the second. It is not exactly aesthetic together with the other colours.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I like the blue sky peeking through the branches on the first one. The second looks more murky.

Bernadette said...

#2 by a nose for me - thr important text stands out better

seana graham said...

I feel like the kid who flunks the IQ test. They looked almost identical to me. Fortunately your other commenters have pointed out the differences. The blue sky does add an element of hope--depends if you want people to feel hopeful or not with this.

It's a good cover, though, either way.

Richard Robinson said...

Fade across the middle is the better of the two. No doubt in my mind, as it enhances the photograph while making the graphics stand out.

Rob Kitchin said...

Thanks everyone for your views and sorry for silence since posting - was over in Manchester yesterday and today and only just got back.

It seems I have a split vote - I'll have a ponder over the weekend. Dorte, the giraffe is because the book is coming out through a different imprint and that's the logo (so I don't have a choice over that, though they might be able to tweak the colour - I'll check).

Vanda Symon said...

Can I squeeze in a last minute vote for number 1.

Barbara said...

No. 1 for me, too - I like the branches being defined against the dark sky and I think it is more distinctive that way. I like them both, though.

Dorte H said...

I suspected it was something like that. A white giraffe would go much better with your cover, though, especially because of the red name and the turquise cover on the back.

Anonymous said...

I prefer the 2nd one - the title and your name stand out better and the black above the sky at the top looks more 'menacing'.

Kiwicraig said...

They're both great Rob. For me, the bottom (second) one is a touch better - I think because is seems a little more balanced between the elements (e.g. your name stands out more, etc).

Kiwicraig said...

Having said that, I think if you could make your name stand out more in the top one, that might be the best option of all - because I agree with Dorte, Vanda and ohers that the mance of the sky and the branches etc in the top one is pretty good. But we're nitpicking here mate - they're both good, and whatever the eventual choice or combo is, it's a great cover.;