Turn Up The Radio

Great question, Vienna.

I don't own an iPad, but I do have an iPhone and I have to admit that I've been disappointed in most of the "print" materials for the device. The NY Times app kind of stinks (though I've heard the one for iPad is breathtakingly amazing), The Onion is OK and Epicurious--ick. Even when using my friend's iPad to research project 3, I was surprised by the simple, lackluster designs of the ebooks I looked at.

However, I'm continuously impressed by the applications for radio. Though mobile devices damaged print, they seem to have revived radio. For example the applications for Pandora, Spotify and my personal favorite, NPR. I was not really a fan of NPR until I had the app. Now, I can listen to programs of my choice (or only parts of programs) any time I want while avoiding commercials, Marketplace and Pledge Week. I can even listen to the NPR station from my hometown in New Hampshire if I want to. This app is really a commuter's best friend and I can't say enough good things about it.

Improving the Choose Your Own Adventure ebook

The first thing the creators of the Choose Your Own Adventure did incorrectly was making the design look like an actual book, which defeats the purpose of using an eReader (Is that the right term?). It also doesn't cater to it's intended audience, which is children. Right now, the design is very plain and not too engaging. The use of more colors, sounds, activities that visually explain the story, and less text on a single page would definitely draw children's interest much better.

Also, it appears there are several interactive points where the reader can choose to select which part of the book they can read, which is okay. Using a character from the book to explain this option with a cute little animated voice would be even better.

I would even like the map to be interactive in some way. Maybe, if the reader press a page, a snapshot of that page pop out to ensure the reader this is truly the page they want to select.

There are plenty of ways to improve this interactive book, and keeping the intended audience in mind while doing so is key to accomplish this.

Choose your own adventure

I know a lot of you are going to be pretty dang excited to see this. Our beloved, classic "Choose Your Own Adventure" books have gone digital. They're now available for iPads and iPhones in the iBookstore.

I don't want to hate, but check out the screenshots they provide...

I like the idea of the map, but they just seem so tied to the original format, including the normal spread of a book. After this last project, I'm sure they could have done something crazy awesome, but it's just boring.

So this question is a little different than previous weeks. I want to talk about this little bit of nostalgia that's struggling to come into new technology and what they should have done instead. Also, what are other formats that seem like such a natural fit with interactive technology that should give it a shot?

Personally, I think when you have a cover design that looks like this (although really, they couldn't spare a redesign?) there's a lot of imagery and opportunity to pull through the interior. That map especially seems like a totally missed opportunity to me.

What do yo all think?

I'd love to redesign Toni Morrision Books

I know I've posted about Toni Morrison's books before, but I just love her books and have hated the cover designs (with the exception of one of her most recent books, A Mercy) the designs of her previous books have been thoroughly uninspiring and unoriginal, a pale tribute to the content within.

To be fair, they are indicative of the time period in which they were designed, but still, they're awful. And I get the "look" of the books -- just straight text, but some aren't even consistent with their typography, or color palette which just makes them look sloppy.

Death to Nero Wolfe Covers

Personally, I think collectively our class did a much better job redesigning Rex Stout Nero Wolfe series book covers. The covers I've found online tend to be a bit dated, dull and uninteresting. I think book covers for mystery novels should be conceptual -which I think we did an excellent job! The covers are very literal and don't engage or intrigue the audience. The cover art work is a dead give away. And quite honestly once you read one, you can most likely figure out what the rest are about.

Romance Novel Covers... Yuck!

Romance novels have the absolute worst covers, which is why you will never see me purchase one. I can't say this enough! They are just so cheesy and not original at all. I don't understand why there is always a man on the cover (Fabio...) who is staring off into space. Below are some interesting, yet horrible covers I found.

What exactly is he doing with that sword?

Oh, are you?

Love the name of Ms. Barbieri's other novel! Fancy!

Good Book, Bad Cover

I agree that The Red Tent would scare some readers away because I am one of those readers. I've looked at that book several times in the bookstore, then promptly put it down.

A book cover that I'd like to redesign is The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. It's great book about love, friendship and transitioning into adulthood. When I first read it, it reminded me of my summers at home during college. The main character is rebelling from his father and figuring out what he wants now that his college days are over while having the time of his life with new friends. And this is the book's cover:

They've redone the cover since and it's still not working for me.

I want the cover to evoke the same ideas of youth, rebellion and adventure that the novel does, and both of these don't.