 |
|
|
APRIL SUPERFECTA This week let’s celebrate those few who appear to have had some design school background. Out of the 72 upcoming releases, these were the only four that fell into my good-bookcover wheelhouse. Although these covers aren’t pioneering in any way, I will appreciate their simplicity and elegance all the same. The key to the success of these covers is the limited color palette and succinct and spare use of imagery. All hail less-is-more.
|
 |
|
|
NEW RELEASES FOR THE NEW YEAR As we enter the ninth year of the twenty-first century, let’s have a gander at a handful of books due to release this month. It’s sadly fascinating how consistently similar these covers are, which wouldn’t be so bad if they were pleasing to look at.
|
|
|
|
WISHFUL DRINKING 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…
|
|
|
|
FABLES COVERS: THE ART OF JAMES JEAN VOL. 1 I’ve decided this week to judge a book that is unreleased, and, once again, this piece of eye candy stood out amongst the glut of bad cover designs being shoveled on our plates. My immediate reaction was relief: Finally, something visually engaging.
|
|
|
|
INDIGNATION It’s been a while since I’ve seen a book cover so brazenly minimal. Usually a cover contains at least one clue as to what’s in store. So, unless your’e a professor at Pratt or have a PhD in color theory, the only thing you’ll need to know is that Philip Roth is the author. And that’s why this approach is brilliant.
|
|
|
|
BRENT ROLLINS Brent Rollins is a one-man design explosion. You name it, he’s done it, and with such deft and style that his handiwork is soaked in the sponge of hip hop visual culture.
|
|
|
|
MCCAIN VS OBAMA Where have all the good book covers gone? It’s slim pickens out there, so instead of wasting my day trying to find a gem amongst turds, let’s compare two covers that evoke my gag reflex.
|
|
|
|
PAUL BUCKLEY Paul Buckley is the VP Executive Creative Director of Penguin Books
|
|
|
|
MICHAEL IAN KAYE Michael Ian Kaye, though his name may not ring a bell, has been capturing readers’ imaginations for years with his celebrated book jackets. Whether it’s on a Malcolm Gladwell or David Sedaris, chances are one of his designs is sitting on your shelf right now. Kaye took a moment out of his busy schedule to sit down with Lit Mob and try to explain that magical thing he does.
|
|
|
|
SNUFF All I know is that I’m jealous of Rodrigo Corral because I wish I designed that cover.
|
|
|
