a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Playing the Game by Stephanie Queen
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover?
Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want
to BUY the book? Discuss.
The cover is alright but there is something about the text that I can't put my finger on that I don't like. Maybe if it was a bit wider/ticker. The letters are so thin that they are kind of getting lost in the think power lines behind it.
I love the images of the man and woman, but the bottom part is obscured too much by the text and the swooshes of sparkling color. It took me too long to figure out what was underneath it. Great first effort, though.
Now this site is being used for cover artist advertising! Alrightey then. That's a new one.
He is very, very greasy. I am not much into guys that look like a greased pig. I realize others feel differently, I just had to get that out there.
I agree that the lighting in the background of the bottom part of the cover makes it difficult to see the title (it's also difficult to read the author name). In this case,I don't think the black stroke around the white letters helps much. Maybe a soft, diffuse drop shadow would help.
I like the sans-serif type, but somehow "Playing" just isn't quite situated right for me. Don't care for the P just touching the l. It needs to make up its mind; either be big enough to overlay the l or moved left enough so it is not touching. But if the latter, the kerning will not look right. Not sure of the solution, but that would be a part of the cover I'd have to work on if it were mine.
@Stephanie, I do some cover design but it's not my primary business; I'm a professional graphic designer. I do have a site, http://www.bookcoverblog.com that I occasionally post to (time, I just do not have enough!)
I LOVE THIS COVER!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe designer can be found here: http://niinascoverdesign.weebly.com/ ( there's a 40% sale until end of Sept. ) ;)
ReplyDeleteTo me, this cover says, "fast paced and sexy!"
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thank you, I was aiming for that. :)
DeleteYes, fast, sexy and fun. Nice.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thanks. :)
Deletegenre: Romance or maybe erotica
ReplyDeleteThe cover is alright but there is something about the text that I can't put my finger on that I don't like. Maybe if it was a bit wider/ticker. The letters are so thin that they are kind of getting lost in the think power lines behind it.
Thanks for the critique. It's appresiated. :)
DeleteI love the images of the man and woman, but the bottom part is obscured too much by the text and the swooshes of sparkling color. It took me too long to figure out what was underneath it. Great first effort, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's great to hear from objective readers what could be improved. :)
DeleteNow this site is being used for cover artist advertising! Alrightey then. That's a new one.
ReplyDeleteHe is very, very greasy. I am not much into guys that look like a greased pig. I realize others feel differently, I just had to get that out there.
I agree that the lighting in the background of the bottom part of the cover makes it difficult to see the title (it's also difficult to read the author name). In this case,I don't think the black stroke around the white letters helps much. Maybe a soft, diffuse drop shadow would help.
I like the sans-serif type, but somehow "Playing" just isn't quite situated right for me. Don't care for the P just touching the l. It needs to make up its mind; either be big enough to overlay the l or moved left enough so it is not touching. But if the latter, the kerning will not look right. Not sure of the solution, but that would be a part of the cover I'd have to work on if it were mine.
Thank you for your insightful comments, Robin!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be very knowledgable about cover design.
Stephanie Queen
@Stephanie, I do some cover design but it's not my primary business; I'm a professional graphic designer. I do have a site, http://www.bookcoverblog.com that I occasionally post to (time, I just do not have enough!)
ReplyDeleteAdvertising there yourself, Robin. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, and of that bit of personal taste.