When it comes to cover design, sharing designs that you hate with your designer is just as important as sharing those that you love . . . sometimes it’s even moar important.
It’s easy to put into words why you love something. Maybe you’re a huge fan of the title treatment, or maybe the graphical nature of the imagery, etc . . . You know what’s harder to verbalize?
What you dislike.
But, believe it or not, what you dislike can direct the design of your very own cover, because it offers your designer an immediate comparison of what not to do. In a perfect world, it’s helpful to know specifically what it is about a certain cover you dislike (e.g. it’s too busy, or the treatment of the text doesn’t prioritize what I want . . .), however most designers (Pixel Pushing Word Nerds, included) can make do with a generalized feeling. You know what we mean. It’s the I don’t know why, but I just don’t like it gut reaction.
So, don’t be afraid to give it to your designer straight. Even go so far as to call out designs from their own portfolio (yeah, go there), because examples are the clearest way you can convey your expectations, likes and . . . well . . . dislikes.
You won’t hurt our feelings.
Promise.
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