Updated Comps

Hey guys, so I wanted to post my updated comps before class tomorrow. I wasn't able to really get feedback because the images that I chose were already used as covers. So check out my new designs and give me some feedback if you can.

 

Re: The End Days of Bunny Ears?

This was definitely an interesting topic and something that will always be debated.  I sort of agree with some of the other classmates. I don't like a lot of clutter and I don't like to keep a lot of stuff for a long time-at least when it comes to books. Clothing and shoes are a total different story. I don't read books as much as I used to. I'm more of a magazine guy. If I wanted to read a book, I'd use my kindle. However, I'm not completely against paper books. I just feel like the way everything is going, we need to preserve as much as we can and recycle and reuse. Let's make mother nature happy. But, to contradict what I just said, sometimes I will prefer to read a physical book. Usually, I'm drawn to nicely design book covers or maybe a book that's rare or first edition.

I'm the complete opposite when it comes to magazines. I need to have a physical magazine in my hand. I need to smell the paper and feel the paper. I love glossy covers. You always here people say, "print is going away" even with the internet making it possible to create online magazines which can reach a broader audience, but I still believe that print will always be here. I'm a bit old fashion when it comes to my magazines, I have book shelves filled. This also totally contradicts what I said about the environment and mother nature, but the good thing is that, magazines are becoming smaller because they can put some of the content online and keep the big stories and features in the print issue. So its using a little less paper. ;)

Re: The End Days of Bunny Ears?

For me there's nothing that beats the experience of actually having a book in hand. Call it a euphoric feeling, but I consider it a feat reading a book from cover to cover. When I read online or a kindle it reminds me of reading a blog article. It's not a bad thing, but if your anything like me I usually skim and try to find the actual point so you don't feel as invested in the information. As a designer I tend to appreciate the make up of the book design. I'm a visual person so the colors, the dimensions and even the nuances such as folio elements all help create an experience for me to visualize the story and follow through the book. So if I had to choose I'm for printed books.

Re: End of bunny ears

End of days of bunny ears:  This is an excellent topic to consider. I am old school and prefer paper. The opportunities I have to read for pleasure are more consdusive to paper as is my comfort level. I refer to reading on the beach, on the pier, in bed or other casual environments.   However, for work and business needs most of what I read is online.  As  I think about the younger generation, my daughters who are 21 and 23, the thought of print is almost offensive.  Is this a question of technology or sustainability or other?  Regardless, I have come to learn that most things have a season and those seasons return. For example, who could have imagined bell bottomed jeans resurrecting  in the form of flares?  For this reason, I think there will always be a need and demand for print however that market will vary and as with most industry, market niche will be the key to success.

Re: The End Days of Bunny Ears?

Funny, I've had this same conversation with many book lover friends and family in the past few years since digitized publications have really taken off. Usually, there is a concluding question of where does your loyalty lie: printed books or e-books? Because you must choose.

Wrong I say! Like most of you have pointed out already, I too am an admirer of both forms (no need to feel torn, right?). I do own a Kindle, but admittedly don't use it nearly as much. I reserve it mostly for the easy reads or recommended reads from friends. Generally speaking, I am an old-schooler who prefers the physical form; the page turning, note taking, and textures are all part of the experience. And like I mentioned last week, I can't get enough of beautifully crafted old books (even the ones I stupidly pack in my suitcase for the TSA to rip apart- lesson learned!).

I haven't really any experience with interactive e-reads that Kate brought up, but it seems to be emerging new fascinating experiences for readers. It's interesting to think too how writers and designers will evolve to create for this platform. But I hope-and believe- that the physical books aren't going anywhere. We have room on our bookshelves for both!

Re: Book Cover - Beyond the Wall

I really like the first one of these. I think the idea with the shadow of the woman appearing on the wall is great! It illustrates the concept of the story and is a great idea. I like the play with the light on the wall as well. I wish the typography looked a little more like it was written on the wall and had some history there. Right now I think it looks a little bit like a chalkboard rather than a wall. Also, I wish the author's name was a little bit larger. Like maybe there's a black bar at the bottom with the title and author and then the wall, man and shadow can use that as a base. But then it takes the writing off the wall so maybe you don't want to do that. Just thinking out loud. It just doesn't quite strike me as a book cover yet. 

The second one I think is a little bit less successful because it could be a wooden door or a table or something. It's not totally clear that it's a wall. And I don't love the typography. I like how old the man's arm looks though. Maybe a different background that looks more like stone or something?

Hope this helps! I think the concepts are really great and they just need a little tweaking. Good luck! 

Re: The End Days of Bunny Ears?

This is a great question! I do love books, but I don't love clutter. So I do find myself feeling more and more like I want to buy a Kindle. I actually don't own one yet, but I've been stubborn about wanting to hold onto the idea of holding a physical book. I think for me it will be a balance. Last semester in Design Studio 1, we used the digital version of Josef Albers' Interaction of Color. This was my first experience with a digital book and I was really impressed. There was a lot of interactivity that defined terms in the way that Albers was using them to explain different color theories. Also the reader could use the interactivity to create their own color studies, which I thought was an excellent way to teach color theory as well. I think the interactive/digital version of this book goes a long way to adding to the teaching instruction that is capable. I think for textbooks, digital and interactive versions are great teaching tools!

Also, if I'm just reading a paperback that some recommended, I think having an e-book on a Kindle or Nook, etc, is the way to go. I really don't want all those throw away paperbacks cluttering up my house and if I had an e-reader with those types of books, I think I would really enjoy it.

That being said, there are definitely books that I must have a hard, printed copy of to hold in my hands, turn the pages and enjoy. I treasure my Harry Potter books and the cloth bound Penguin classics that were released that would cloth bound and stamped, I love them and I want to collect all of them because there really is something to admire about a well-constructed book and I do hope that never does truly go away.