Typgraphy Research: October 2013

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Book Cover Research: One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

Book Cover:

Critique: I'm not a huge fan of the messy border design being mirrored on the back of the book. I think it would look better if they kept the texture and used a simple box for the synopsis. That way it would be easier to align the text left so it would be easier to read. The airbrushed black behind the synopsis looks messy, too. The title, on the other hand, is gorgeous. They incorporated a theme from the book and created a dynamic, memorable design that creates interest. I think they chose the wrong font for the author name, though. The font seems a little playful, sort of. It feels like it belongs on a light-hearted romantic comedy novel, not a grundgy, dark cover.

Book Cover Research: Biopsy

Biopsy:

Drew Needham

Critique: This is another piece that is just as intricate as it is simple. The delicate design creates interest and draws the eye to the title. It also makes the book look refine. The color they used for the background is rich and makes the title box pop. There isn't much to this piece, but it still has a professional feel, and it makes me want the book just for it's shelf appeal.

Book Cover Research: Washingtonian

Washingtonian:

Michael Goesele

Critique: I absolutely love how intricate this piece is. I just wish the smaller print stood out more against the wall of bottles. It might look better in person if I was looking at the actual magazine cover, but in this case, I looked right over them and just saw 'bars'. Aside from that, this piece has a great flow and is an attention grabber. The style of font they chose is perfect for the old fashioned bar scene, and filling the magazine name with the same design was a good touch. I especially like the intricate white lines, and they do help to separate the type from the image.

Book Cover Research: PoV (UK)

PoV (UK):

Ben Turner

Critique: What sets this deign apart is the popping solid color against the grungy background. It was hard to miss, and I liked it a lot at first. Then a noticed a bunch of little changes that could be made. The heart gets lost behind the massive 'love', and I though it was a blob until I looked closer. They could shrink the heart down a little and move it into view. Also, 'amor' gets a little lost in the background. I do like how the solid strip on the bottom balances everything out, and they used the background really well to create hierarchy and depth.

Book Cover Research: COVER (China)

COVER (China):

Ltrichard

Critique: The simple censor strips serve as a strong symbolism, and the simplicity in this piece overall is what I enjoy most about it. The way the emphasize 'last' with a alternate background color and how the color of the censor strips is a really good touch. I'd fix the censor bar over the name of the magazine, though. It just makes it look like a blob compared to everything else.

Book Cover Research: New York Times

New York Times:

Nancy Harris Rouemy

Critique: This is the neon sign effect I wanted to try on the Kinetik poster, but I would have never achieved anything like this. I'm not sure if they design and created all this on the computer, or just made the signs and took a picture of them, but that just says how well they pulled this off. All the colors play well with each other and help keep the names legible. The varying sizes also help create interest and keep the piece flowing.

Book Cover Research: Tentações (Portugal)

Tentações (Portugal):

Fernando Barata

Critique: The tattered cover texture/theme has been done a lot, but what's unique about this one is how they made the text look water damaged and worn, and it sells the theme. I think they went a little overboard with the draining ink, though, because some of the words look muddy and illegible.

Book Cover Research: Critic (New Zealand)

Critic (New Zealand):

Unknown

Critique: Hopefully, you're not supposed to be about to read the words of the treaty, because it's almost impossible. I love the symbolism of this entire piece, though, and how they conveyed toilet paper and a dirty bathroom wall without being blatantly obvious. This design allows for many unique font styles and typographic strategies, like how they made the magazine title look like sharpie graffiti.

Kinetik Poster Research: Technix

Poster:

Andre Bergamin

Critique: What first noticed in this poster is how little information is actually on it, and I kind of like that about it. It gives just enough info about the venue and leave the space open for eye-catching design. However, I'm not sure putting the name vertical as they did was a good idea, even though it fits well, because I notice the names before I notice the title/event.

Kinetik Poster Research: Trochut

Poster:

Alex Trochut

Critique: This is an interesting design, but it's difficult to read. The spaghetti noodles forming the letters might need more intense shading, or the artist could use the red to make the letters stand out more. Otherwise, the illustration is beautiful.