What a Difference a Cover Makes
You might have heard or read about it already. Folk at Little, Brown have lifted the curtain on the cover design for JK Rowling’s latest book The Casual Vacancy (which is out in September this year). It’s only been about 48 hours and its already causing quite a stir. The design is a creation of Mario J Pulice and Joel Holland.
I’m a sucker for typography so I have to admit I quite like this design. And I’m a bit annoyed by the reaction and the fact that people feel they’ve got the right to criticise anything and everything as they please right now. Then again, all this is is publicity. After all, here I am blogging about it…
Some time ago BBC4 made an interesting documentary that featured Jon Gray, a well-known designer and his take on the philosophy behind a book cover design. I completely agree with him in that a cover ‘gives a face and personality to a book. A book within the marketplace is like a face in a busy crowd’.
Similarly to some of Gray’s designs, The Casual Vacancy cover plays on various typefaces and lettering. And even though it probably won’t win ‘the best cover design of the year’ award (or whatever other equivalent), I like how bold colours have been used and the fact that it is really basic and simple. Most importantly, for this title in particular, the cover doesn’t reveal much – if anything at all. And whilst it might be somewhat true that pretty much anything with JK Rowling’s name on would sell right now, I think this design just adds to the excitement and anticipation for the book. So yes, well done Mr Pulice and Mr Holland.
And if you’re looking for some inspiration or just love a good book cover you should definitely visit ‘abookaday’. It’s an amazing photo blog and an overall well of creativity.