tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post921758747975985144..comments2024-03-14T05:11:55.141-04:00Comments on Existential Ennui: The Volcanoes of San Domingo by Adam Hall (Author of the Quiller Spy Series); Collins, 1963, Original Cover Art by Bryan LubraniNick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-40392562647635688702012-11-09T09:30:12.328-05:002012-11-09T09:30:12.328-05:00Fascinating detecive work there Nick - no question...Fascinating detecive work there Nick - no question that a lot has been lost in the modern homogenised approach to book selling in terms of cover art when it comes to really mass market titles. Small publishers stilldo some distinctive work at least.Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-43358723029689804292012-11-08T08:32:27.891-05:002012-11-08T08:32:27.891-05:00Hi Nick,
Interesting stuff!
The argument from s...Hi Nick,<br /><br />Interesting stuff! <br /><br />The argument from sales and marketing teams usually runs that customers choose books quickly – more often than not while they’re doing their weekly shop in Tesco’s. Because of this, designers (and God knows I’ve occasionally been as guilty of this as anyone) are encouraged to use a ‘shorthand’ when it comes to designing books so that customers know what they’re picking up without having to think too much about it. As you say, ‘man running into the distance’ (to my shame I’ve just done one of these actually…), ‘ripped dude with gun’, ‘black and white photo of sad looking child’ – these are all established tropes which spin out of the fact that it’s easier to sell books to people who know what they like and what they’re looking for on the shelf. I’m not entirely sure I agree with this idea – if everything on a shelf looks the same then surely something different would stand out. But that’s the line we’re constantly asked to follow. When money is tight and physical books sales are falling, no one wants to experiment and try something new.<br /><br />There are definitely artists and designers who take the time and – most importantly – are given the opportunity, to create covers that are different and exciting and playful. Off the top of my head, John Grey (or ‘Grey318’) always does interesting work, but this freedom is usually granted to the more ‘literary’ end of the spectrum rather than the mainstream fare of crime, legal drama, military novels or whatever, all of which are crowded marketplaces and expect familiarity and conformity. <br /><br />I think it’s probably true that most designers (myself included) would prefer to be creative than follow the herd but when money is so tight on projects and to be blunt, when fees for cover design are so low, it can be hard to justify the time it takes to read a manuscript from beginning to end and then to produce interesting covers which no one will get behind and champion because they’re challenging. Additionally, there can often be so many people with input into a cover during it’s design process than even if a more unusual option is put forward by the time it reaches the shelves it’s been watered down by over discussion. If you’ve spent days reading a book and come up with a concept you’re happy with it can be heartbreaking when 10 other people (who, it should be noted, probably haven’t read the book) pull it apart.<br /><br />Speaking personally, as well as occasionally being asked to follow trends and produce covers which feel a little derivative (although in my view - just because you're following a pattern it doesn't mean you shouldn't try and produce something interesting…) I've also been lucky enough to work with some exciting and open minded people who have allowed me to try new ideas (some of which have worked, some of which haven't).<br /><br />With the rise of ebooks, and mass-market book sales slumping, physical books will soon become far more ‘premium’ items, with lovely finishes and tactile surfaces – all things a Kindle can’t compete with – to produce objects of beauty. McSweeney’s are a dab hand at this approach and even graphic novel companies like Self Made Hero recognize the importance of product design (if you haven't already, check out The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon – it’s lovely!)<br /><br />Jeez, sorry - I've rambled.<br /><br />Martin SMartin Stiffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com