UPDATE – Sunday evening: The red lines are the delineation between front and back, spine, etc. When evaluating this, bear in mind it’s the broad outline: if we like it, we can fill in some additional details. The question is whether this by and large hits the spot? Personally, I think it’s much better / more relevant than the first version we saw on Friday. But let me know your thoughts.
One point I’ve made to the designer already: The Community Centre should not be right beside Inkspire – perhaps move Community Centre to the first building on the left, and put Inkspire on first building on right (thereby keeping Inkspire on the front cover). Also, spelling of community needs fixing.
UPDATE – late Friday night: I’ve asked the illustrator to do another version – more brightness, more of a streetscape, not so close in, more optimism, etc. Hope to have that version today.
First draft of the cover of On The Way Out. Let me know what you think.
Note – the highlighted part is the front cover. The other parts are the back cover and the flaps that fold into the front and back covers. If that’s not clear, let me know.
My own feelings – I think it’s a bit dark and perhaps look a bit dated rather than modern day. It feels shrouded and dead. But I could be wrong. More light? More people on the street? More colour? There’s a subtlety in the sunset (setting of the town’s sun is a possible motif of the story) but is it gone too far?
My brief may have led the illustrator to this ‘darker/deader’ image. Look forward to your opinions. Already two people have come to say they love it – ‘very atmospheric’ and ‘nostalgic’. But others have agreed with me. ‘World War 11 blackout feel’ said one.
Also to note – once design is agreed, the text (title, blurb, etc) goes over it. So it inevitably looks a little naked now. And things can be added to the page – like a dog, or a bag blowing down the street, to give it life. So make allowances for that too, if you can.
Click to enlarge – file size is large, may take a minute to open.
For reference, here’s the cover of my first book (same illustrator) from three years ago:
