In fab news, art director Jane Donald is now working on the cover art for Takeshita Demons. She’s discussed some ideas with Siku, a renowned graphic artist who’s worked for Sega Europe, Usborne, Marvel Comics and more. He’s also worked on The Manga Bible and Judge Dredd. This guy can really draw!
The roughs we’ve had back are all ace, featuring Miku, Cait and some very spooky yokai from the book, but now for the tough bit: which one do we choose?
I love them all, but that doesn’t help. I guess we need to think about:
- how they’ll look in colour,
- how they’ll look when shrunk down on Amazon pages or in book catalogues,
- how well they represent the book and its style and story,
- how well they appeal to boys, to girls,
- how well they appeal to parents and librarians (who may well be forking out the cash)
- gut feeling
- other stuff (what other stuff? what else should we be thinking about?)
Which cover idea do you prefer? What do you like about it?
Cristy Burne - AUTHOR AND STEM CREATIVE 
September 18, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Thanks all…looks like it’s all in favour of the top right. And thanks also for your comments and ideas on why it works… I’m fascinated by how covers work to grab a reader’s attention and why. If only there was a secret formula!
I’ll keep you posted on what happens 🙂
Thanks!!
Cristy
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September 18, 2009 at 1:42 pm
How exciting. I understand your dilemma, however, I would have to say the top right would be my favorite too. All the best to you.
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September 17, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Top right! The others looks more “in-the-middle-of-the-story” drawings than cover pics to me.
Do I get a free copy now? 🙂
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September 17, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I also would go for top right, but I love the east-meets-west elements of the bottom right too.
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September 17, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Top right,
Is also my choice of cover artwork – it has a great energy feel. And your eyes are drawn to the image and the character in the picture – works really well!
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September 17, 2009 at 5:10 pm
There were no responses when I started writing my post—pretty funny that we all said top right!
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September 17, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Congratulations, Cristy! How exciting that you’re in the process of choosing your cover art.
I vote for the second one (upper right). It shows most clearly that there’s a threat, and that the threat is half serpent, half woman. In the others, it’s not so clear. In the first, the serpent body almost looks like a zooming path (from someone flying), in the third it’s not immediately obvious, and in the fourth it’s somewhat hidden.
I like the first and second ones best. The fourth is much less dynamic and emotional, and the third one (lower left) is hard to read. I first thought it had a raft in there!
The second one has a lot of great motion in the background lines and in the coils of the snake. It also puts the two characters very close together, which ups the intensity.
It should be simple enough that it’s still readable when reduce in size.
Have fun with the decision! I think it’s great that you’re putting it out for input, and it’s fun to comment. You’ll find that some people will make arguments you resist, and then you’ll know what you truly prefer.
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September 17, 2009 at 4:56 pm
These are all great! I think my favourite is the top right because of the energy, and the symmetry. It would look absolutely stunning in colour and on the jacket! I like the top left too. It’s so exciting!!!
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September 17, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Top Right.
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