Revamp of The Wave - feedback and suggestions welcome

[Approaching Infinity]

Hi everyone. RPP is getting ready to revamp the Wave books for their next print run (also leading up to the release of book 8). This means we're going for a whole new look. What we need is some feedback. We want the covers to be attractive, meaningful, well-designed, and most importantly, to grab new readers' attention--readers who are otherwise unaware of Laura's work. For the past months we've been brainstorming ideas and our graphic artists have come up with some great mock-ups. I've included all the ideas come up with below (some are just sketches), as well as a short description of the main themes of each book (we're starting with the first three volumes, but others will follow shortly after). This is where y'all come in. What we need is feedback as to which covers work, why they work, and perhaps what might work better. Perhaps as many of you did with the FOTCM logo you can show the covers to your spouses or friends and see if the cover appeals to them. Also, if any of you graphic artists are struck with an idea, try it out and post it here for feedback!

As you all know, Laura's work deals with MANY topics which are often marketed completely separately: history, bible criticism, ufos, esoterica, alternative science, channeling, etc. So what we want to do is appeal to readers who may like a particular genre and perhaps expand their interests. Thus, the new subtitles and different styles. While it's best to read the books in order, this isn't totally necessary (except in the case of books 5 and 6). We'll be including a short introduction to give the context of the Wave in further volumes, but if the subject matter of a particular book interests someone, we don't want to discourage them by making it seem as if they'll have to read 6 other books first. So, the books won't be numbered, but the order will be made clear in the inside cover list of books in the series. They will all contain the Cassiopaea "W" Wave logo, as well as the identifying text "A Wave Book" on the front cover.

So, with that said, here they are:

Riding the Wave: The Truth and Lies About 2012 and Global Transformation

This volume presents the main theory behind the Wave: hyperdimensions, gravity, antimatter, portals, "merging" with higher realities, perpendicular realities, structure of the cosmos, cosmic evolution, 4D bleedthrough, anchoring frequencies, among other things!

Soul Hackers: The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
This volume deals primarily with the problems inherent in channeling, as well as the New Age movement. It tells the story of the New Age church Laura was involved in, including reiki, wicca, rituals, and the motive behind the movement: mind-programming via greenbaum and alien influence. The general theme is that you create your own reality based on the objectivity (or lack of) with which you approach life. If you believe in nonsense, your life will reflect that.

Stripped to the Bone: The Path to Freedom (or, alternatively, The Path to Freedom in the Prison of Life
This volume continues with mind programming and the various methods, including cults, non-lethal weaponry, religious programming, greenbauming, and 4D-constructed "robots". The overarching theme is "knowing our limitations so that we can overcome them". As such, it deals with the practicalities of the 3d "prison", including the influence of 4D STS and the human/alien consortium. It then moves into the ontological reason for this dualistic conflict, analyzing evil's place in the cosmos (including tree of life representation of cosmos). The duality is present in the human individual. Thus, we move into "integration of opposites", namely right and left-brain functioning, examples of which are found in ancient megalithic cultures, up to alchemy, i.e. fourth way schools specific to prevailing cultural milieu. It ends on a discussion of free will, and how true freedom only comes from a choice made with the awareness of limitation. "Our reality is masked as a medium for growth." In order to gain freedom, one must be "stripped to the bone".

We don't have any ideas for this one yet, so suggestions are welcome!

 

[anart]

So, with that said, here they are:

Riding the Wave: The Truth and Lies About 2012 and Global Transformation

This volume presents the main theory behind the Wave: hyperdimensions, gravity, antimatter, portals, "merging" with higher realities, perpendicular realities, structure of the cosmos, cosmic evolution, 4D bleedthrough, anchoring frequencies, among other things!

This one is my favorite. The background checkerboard I found to be a bit limiting conceptually - and this one has a simplicity and clarity that - for me - works best. Too much going on, and you lose visual impact - so this one strikes a balance, of the options offered.

Soul Hackers: The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
This volume deals primarily with the problems inherent in channeling, as well as the New Age movement. It tells the story of the New Age church Laura was involved in, including reiki, wicca, rituals, and the motive behind the movement: mind-programming via greenbaum and alien influence. The general theme is that you create your own reality based on the objectivity (or lack of) with which you approach life. If you believe in nonsense, your life will reflect that.

This one is my favorite of these choices. The one with the two individuals focuses too much attention on those real faces - of real people - it's distracting, though the more out of focus one is better, of those two. However, this one is much more globally applicable and balanced.


I think it is important to remember that these books create a continuity and I think that should be reflected in the covers - that balance, that flow should be reflected. Of all the choices presented here, the one above - to my eyes - does that best.

I also think a more thematic approach - with a theme running through all covers would be a much better way to go - rather than completely separate themes for each cover. Visual identity is huge - there should be a common visual thread - touchpoint - running through each and every title. Yes, each book is different - but that theme - that Wave - runs through them all and there should be some sign of it on each separate cover, if even in the background. OSIT.

I know we have some talented graphic designers here - so step on up!

 

[Zadius Sky]

Soul Hackers: The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
This volume deals primarily with the problems inherent in channeling, as well as the New Age movement. It tells the story of the New Age church Laura was involved in, including reiki, wicca, rituals, and the motive behind the movement: mind-programming via greenbaum and alien influence. The general theme is that you create your own reality based on the objectivity (or lack of) with which you approach life. If you believe in nonsense, your life will reflect that.

This one is, by far, my favorite of these choices.

I have to agree. I really like this one. =)

 

[Approaching Infinity]

I also think a more thematic approach - with a theme running through all covers would be a much better way to go - rather than completely separate themes for each cover. Visual identity is huge - there should be a common visual thread - touchpoint - running through each and every title. Yes, each book is different - but that theme - that Wave - runs through them all and there should be some sign of it on each separate cover, if even in the background. OSIT.

Could that continuity be as simple as the use of circles in the designs? And perhaps the typeface? Circles give an impression of unity, cohesion, and of course bring up associations of crop circles, other types of mandalas, and "circle people".

 

[thevenusian]

I agree completely with anart's choices, though there is something about the font in the title 'Riding the Wave' which does not seem quite bold enough to me. My second choice would be #9 from the top, with the perspective/slant type and green/white theme. For what it's worth, and thank you for including us!

 

[Keit]

I also think a more thematic approach - with a theme running through all covers would be a much better way to go - rather than completely separate themes for each cover. Visual identity is huge - there should be a common visual thread - touchpoint - running through each and every title. Yes, each book is different - but that theme - that Wave - runs through them all and there should be some sign of it on each separate cover, if even in the background. OSIT.

Could that continuity be as simple as the use of circles in the designs? And perhaps the typeface? Circles give an impression of unity, cohesion, and of course bring up associations of crop circles, other types of mandalas, and "circle people".

I had an idea about the covers after looking at the following 2012 book cover:

How about incorporating a different crop circle image (with specific meaning) on each individual Wave book? And I am not talking about an actual image of a crop circle, but only its geometric representation, like here, for example:

It will not only carry mass appeal, but also will carry additional meaning, like "comet tail"
crop circles, etc.

 

[Masamune]

I personally like this one the best but anart's choice is second.

Soul Hackers: The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
This volume deals primarily with the problems inherent in channeling, as well as the New Age movement. It tells the story of the New Age church Laura was involved in, including reiki, wicca, rituals, and the motive behind the movement: mind-programming via greenbaum and alien influence. The general theme is that you create your own reality based on the objectivity (or lack of) with which you approach life. If you believe in nonsense, your life will reflect that.

This one is, by far, my favorite of these choices.

I have to agree. I really like this one. =)

I like this one too.

And I definitely agree with anart that there should be some continuity in the cover designs so that it looks like it is a series and not just stand alone books.

 

[Keit]

I agree completely with anart's choices, though there is something about the font in the title 'Riding the Wave' which does not seem quite bold enough to me. My second choice would be #9 from the top, with the perspective/slant type and green/white theme. For what it's worth, and thank you for including us!

9th from the top is my first choice, I would probably do something with the font though). The one with checkers would be second, but only if the design would be revamped to be more slick and modern.

 

[Windmill knight]

I think it's a really good idea to have new covers and most of all explanatory subtitles. For someone unfamiliar with Laura's work, it is the cover that will determine if they pick up the book and have a look inside while browsing in a bookstore.

Maybe it's a good idea to keep the color themes as they are at the moment to minimize confusion? I mean that since the Wave 1 has always been red, Wave 2 blue, and so on, perhaps the new designs should remain along those lines to make it easier for those who are already reading the series. Wave 1 a concept in reddish colors; Wave 2 in blueish, etc.

 

[anart]

Could that continuity be as simple as the use of circles in the designs? And perhaps the typeface? Circles give an impression of unity, cohesion, and of course bring up associations of crop circles, other types of mandalas, and "circle people".

Absolutely - circles, used the same way, and the same striking typeface would be all that is needed for continuity - the differences of each book could be accented from there.

 

[ScioAgapeOmnis]

"The Truth and Lies About 2012 and Global Transformation" - I like the 2nd picture from the top. The big wave around the planet grabs my attention as it has this grandiose and "anticipatory" feeling, as if something big is either coming or already happening and will be accelerating. I like it more than the first picture because the wave blends more with the background and the light blue outlines of the black-white squares are also Fellowship logo colors :)

My 2nd favorite for that book is the planchette one, although it might be a little "busy" and I don't see any good way to fit the book title there. I think for me something familiar combined with something unfamiliar works best, and the mysterious relationship between those objects piques my curiosity. It catches my eye when it is not overly complex, confusing, cluttered, or too abstract which can fail to communicate any immediate meaning.

The one that anart chose I liked too, but personally I'm not a big fan of the squiggly lines representing the wave. I dunno, each line is kinda wavy but they seem to me emanating from some sort of black hole? Brown dwarf?

"Hacking the Soul" - I like the bird with the swords (but I think it needs to be less busy and have more color and "oomph") and the man/woman one. I have to agree with anart that the real people are a bit distracting and make me wonder who they are, which kinda takes away from the rest of the image. Edit: The single woman with the big braid looking thing over her head looks like the Ukrainian prime minister:

Also I agree that a constant theme might be worth trying, maybe consistent colors or objects or shapes or something.

 

[Vulcan59]

I agree with Anart's choice. For the face though, could it be possible to use an enhanced Chibolton crop circle face?

 

[Mountain Crown]

My impression is that this book would be picked up.

 

[Avi]

I enjoy the two shown below most. In considering the idea for continuity, it strikes me as a good idea, yet if a totally new look is being sought after then perhaps the Cassiopaea "W" Wave logo as well as "A Wave Book" on all volumes might suffice to form that continuity. After all the current editions contain a continual theme in that they all have the image of a wave and are all solid colours, changing from volume to volume. Just seems to me a question of whether to make modifications to what is existing and works, or to go in a totally new direction!?

With kind regards.


PS. "We don't have any ideas for this one yet, so suggestions are welcome!" I am not a graphic artist but what comes to mind is that if the title becomes
"Stripped to the Bone: The Path to Freedom in the Prison of Life" perhaps a maze of some sort, made of megaliths or even bone (although the last idea might appear morbid in imagery even if it could "fit" the title) - the maze could have "integration of opposites" on either/all sides leading to a center (the key) rebirthing in some way. Not very descriptive I know, if I get a vision/insight will try to clarify.

***********

As you all know, Laura's work deals with MANY topics which are often marketed completely separately: history, bible criticism, ufos, esoterica, alternative science, channeling, etc. So what we want to do is appeal to readers who may like a particular genre and perhaps expand their interests. Thus, the new subtitles and different styles. While it's best to read the books in order, this isn't totally necessary (except in the case of books 5 and 6). We'll be including a short introduction to give the context of the Wave in further volumes, but if the subject matter of a particular book interests someone, we don't want to discourage them by making it seem as if they'll have to read 6 other books first. So, the books won't be numbered, but the order will be made clear in the inside cover list of books in the series. They will all contain the Cassiopaea "W" Wave logo, as well as the identifying text "A Wave Book" on the front cover.

So, with that said, here they are:

Riding the Wave: The Truth and Lies About 2012 and Global Transformation

This volume presents the main theory behind the Wave: hyperdimensions, gravity, antimatter, portals, "merging" with higher realities, perpendicular realities, structure of the cosmos, cosmic evolution, 4D bleedthrough, anchoring frequencies, among other things!

Soul Hackers: The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
This volume deals primarily with the problems inherent in channeling, as well as the New Age movement. It tells the story of the New Age church Laura was involved in, including reiki, wicca, rituals, and the motive behind the movement: mind-programming via greenbaum and alien influence. The general theme is that you create your own reality based on the objectivity (or lack of) with which you approach life. If you believe in nonsense, your life will reflect that.

Stripped to the Bone: The Path to Freedom (or, alternatively, The Path to Freedom in the Prison of Life
This volume continues with mind programming and the various methods, including cults, non-lethal weaponry, religious programming, greenbauming, and 4D-constructed "robots". The overarching theme is "knowing our limitations so that we can overcome them". As such, it deals with the practicalities of the 3d "prison", including the influence of 4D STS and the human/alien consortium. It then moves into the ontological reason for this dualistic conflict, analyzing evil's place in the cosmos (including tree of life representation of cosmos). The duality is present in the human individual. Thus, we move into "integration of opposites", namely right and left-brain functioning, examples of which are found in ancient megalithic cultures, up to alchemy, i.e. fourth way schools specific to prevailing cultural milieu. It ends on a discussion of free will, and how true freedom only comes from a choice made with the awareness of limitation. "Our reality is masked as a medium for growth." In order to gain freedom, one must be "stripped to the bone".

We don't have any ideas for this one yet, so suggestions are welcome!
[/quote]

 

[anart]

My impression is that this book would be picked up.

But would it then be put back down? ;)