Mountain Crown
The Living Force
anart said:
Not after starting to read it. I know I couldn't!
Revamp of The Wave - feedback and suggestions welcome
- Thread starter Approaching Infinity
- Start date
Not after starting to read it. I know I couldn't!
Psalehesost
The Living Force
For the first book, first choice would be #9, the greenish one; a version with the same text and coloring but a slightly toned-down background would perhaps be even nicer, but to me it's good as it is (and the text stands out very clearly and cleanly - I think it the best in this regard).
For the second, I find the faces on all covers with faces distracting, though the last one, while I'm still not so fond of it, is a bit more conceptually expressive, which makes it the top choice for me. I'd prefer something a bit more schematic, though. As for the versions titled "Hacking the Soul", they make it sound awkwardly like a programmers' reference book, which doesn't quite fit. However, my imagination also pictures the second one, though with the title "Soul Hackers" and brighter and at the top (the rest moved down), which to my mind's eye looks good.
fwiw
For the second, I find the faces on all covers with faces distracting, though the last one, while I'm still not so fond of it, is a bit more conceptually expressive, which makes it the top choice for me. I'd prefer something a bit more schematic, though. As for the versions titled "Hacking the Soul", they make it sound awkwardly like a programmers' reference book, which doesn't quite fit. However, my imagination also pictures the second one, though with the title "Soul Hackers" and brighter and at the top (the rest moved down), which to my mind's eye looks good.
fwiw
I have a preference for this one.
http://www.sott.net/image/image/s1/29212/full/Wave1H.jpg with maybe a more conventional police for the title (at least horizontal). It is rich, sober, and graphically attractive.
IMHO, the covers shouldn't be too "flashy". In the libraries, I used to avoid new age books because they were too flashy and didn't look very serious to me. And as it is a series, even if the covers themes are different, a common graphic style could be kept. For example, the police for titles could be the same even if the graphics are different, so that every book will identifiable to the series. I don't like also covers with people pictures on, that's just a personal thing.
Edit : Also, the police of the subtitle "The truth and lies about 2012 and global transformation" looks like a science-fiction police (star-wars or stratrek thing). Maybe this part could be written with a more conventional police?
http://www.sott.net/image/image/s1/29212/full/Wave1H.jpg with maybe a more conventional police for the title (at least horizontal). It is rich, sober, and graphically attractive.
IMHO, the covers shouldn't be too "flashy". In the libraries, I used to avoid new age books because they were too flashy and didn't look very serious to me. And as it is a series, even if the covers themes are different, a common graphic style could be kept. For example, the police for titles could be the same even if the graphics are different, so that every book will identifiable to the series. I don't like also covers with people pictures on, that's just a personal thing.
Edit : Also, the police of the subtitle "The truth and lies about 2012 and global transformation" looks like a science-fiction police (star-wars or stratrek thing). Maybe this part could be written with a more conventional police?
Buddy
The Living Force
I like:
Wave1Aa.jpg because all the visual elements are very pleasing, balanced and just plain professionally beautiful to me.
Wave1G.jpg because of the symmetry, esoteric symbols and ouija background. It just smacks of secret/esoteric subject matter.
For Soul Hackers, I can't decide between Wave2B.jpg and W2mk3bluelight.jpg, but would probably vote for Wave2B.jpg due to the description containing the phrase "mechanics of religious mind-programming.
For "Stripped to the Bone: The Path to Freedom in the Prison of Life" (my suggestion), I like the idea of something Native American looking, with a path of light leading up, up and away into 'the cosmos.'
Having said that, I also liked anart's comments:
[quote author=anart]
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.
[/quote]
Wouldn't it be exciting to "discover" that when you put the covers of all the books together, a 'bigger picture' can be seen? Sort of like a jigsaw puzzle? Just a thought.
Wave1Aa.jpg because all the visual elements are very pleasing, balanced and just plain professionally beautiful to me.
Wave1G.jpg because of the symmetry, esoteric symbols and ouija background. It just smacks of secret/esoteric subject matter.
For Soul Hackers, I can't decide between Wave2B.jpg and W2mk3bluelight.jpg, but would probably vote for Wave2B.jpg due to the description containing the phrase "mechanics of religious mind-programming.
For "Stripped to the Bone: The Path to Freedom in the Prison of Life" (my suggestion), I like the idea of something Native American looking, with a path of light leading up, up and away into 'the cosmos.'
Having said that, I also liked anart's comments:
[quote author=anart]
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.
[/quote]
Wouldn't it be exciting to "discover" that when you put the covers of all the books together, a 'bigger picture' can be seen? Sort of like a jigsaw puzzle? Just a thought.
I find the new concept very attractive, they actually look like graphical introductions to the books :)
For the Riding the Wave book I like the number 5 and 9, and for the Soul Hackers the first one. I find them sober with a very attractive design, composition and symbols.
For the Riding the Wave book I like the number 5 and 9, and for the Soul Hackers the first one. I find them sober with a very attractive design, composition and symbols.
The "birdy" ones are simply great, I love them ! The others feels too "new-ageous" for me. I don't think that the covers needs to be illustrative, since the books are dealing with subjects like "hyperdimensions, gravity, antimatter, portals, "merging" with higher realities, perpendicular realities..." who aren't exactly easy to describe, with words or drawings. So, it might be a good idea to stick on the "birdy" design. They looks great, and they really stand out from other "esoteric-stuff" books (just like the content ! :D)
Seriously, this one is amazing.
My two cents.
Seriously, this one is amazing.
My two cents.
JonnyRadar
The Living Force
Approaching Infinity said:
Cool! Fwiw, I came up with some contributions for idea fuel :)
shijing said:
I like JohnnyRadar's ideas too. I generally don't care for the greens at all, but here he made it likable to me. I usually prefer black and reds/golds (fire) and black and blues (ice).
I also like the idea of the puzzle... but would need to see it.
Great covers JonnyRadar! 
I particularly like Soul Hackers - The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
The Shadow figures in the background and the human head in the middle have a nice contrast to one another. Neither sticks out too much but is definitely noticeable which makes it blend in very nicely with the shading of red. It's also a good idea having the Title and Author text areas separated with lines and different colour shading. If I were in a bookstore, I would be more inclined to read the Title and Author name with that in place. Also, nice touch with the Cassiopaea symbols on the bottom, that definitely works as a connecting piece to each cover.
I would think maybe just the Font can be a bit bigger (just slightly though)
I particularly like Soul Hackers - The Hidden Hands Behind the New Age Movement
The Shadow figures in the background and the human head in the middle have a nice contrast to one another. Neither sticks out too much but is definitely noticeable which makes it blend in very nicely with the shading of red. It's also a good idea having the Title and Author text areas separated with lines and different colour shading. If I were in a bookstore, I would be more inclined to read the Title and Author name with that in place. Also, nice touch with the Cassiopaea symbols on the bottom, that definitely works as a connecting piece to each cover.
I would think maybe just the Font can be a bit bigger (just slightly though)
Tigersoap
The Living Force
Yep very good ones JR !
At least they are coherent and say much without being too much at the same time.
Maybe the title of the books needs a bit of oomph that it can really stand out but not too much if you know what I mean.
Maybe a clear cut drop shadow ? I don't know but I hope you see what I mean
At least they are coherent and say much without being too much at the same time.
Maybe the title of the books needs a bit of oomph that it can really stand out but not too much if you know what I mean.
Maybe a clear cut drop shadow ? I don't know but I hope you see what I mean
Vulcan59 said:
Thank you Vulcan, this has also my first thought as I saw it yesterday.
IMO Johnnys commitments are really good and I like them.
Maybe it's possible to find special and important symbols for each book matching with the words, beside that the title is already telling enough. I'm not coming from the design area in a professional sense, but is it used to have symbols matching the words (of the book)?
Polonel said:
I agree with you that the first pictures are looking somehow "new agie". The "birdies" are also my favourites, but somehow too graphical for selling imo, they are looking like art-forms.
A balance of Art and Science is needed?
Maybe we could be looking for some psychological articles, writing about design and selling, to have another input too?
; It's my favourite for the 2nd book. 
