WISHFUL DRINKING

author:
CARRIE FISHER

Covers
Simon & Schuster

I’m not sure what caught my eye first, Carrie Fisher or Princess Leia, but it truly doesn’t matter, for this cover is a knockout (alcoholic) punch. To outline what makes it so perfect may be stating the obvious, but I suppose that’s what Judging by the Cover is all about, so here goes…

One of the first things I learned when I started working in the print design business was that “white sells.” When faced with the task of designing an ad for a product, the average person tends to scale the product up so it practically bleeds off the page then further cramming obnoxiously huge text on top and in any space left over. People default to the bigger is better conceit while, in reality, the more white space around the product or focal point, the easier it is for the recipient of the message to lock on to.

Now, the way the text is, in perspective, is extremely effective in sending your eye on the proper path through the layout, which is straight down into the woeful state of our beloved princess. One could also posit that the angled text is an allusion to the Star Wars intro spiel, you know, where all this stuff happens before the movie even starts.

But the greatest part about this cover is the photo. Those two cinnamon buns are exclusive to only one pop culture character and they’re branded in our psyches like the golden arches. The empty glass and pills probably means she was living hard during those Princess Leia days, although I’m not sure how long she sustained this lifestyle, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen Postcards From the Edge.

Big ups to the creatives who designed and signed off on this version. This is the kind of design that makes the people want to read it more in public so they can flaunt their Star Wars loyalty while disassociating themselves with the last three lamentable installments.

purchase at IndieBound