As some of you know, Xeus recently commissioned me to design the cover to her upcoming anthology Dark City 2. What you may not know was that I created three potential covers, and now it’s up to you, dear readers, to vote on which is your favourite cover!
I’ll showcase all three covers here, with a brief intro behind the ideas behind each of them. Naturally you may leave as many comments as you wish (critique, opinions, ideas, etc.), but only one vote each, ya.
Cover A: The idea behind this cover is to bring out the mystery behind the “Dark” in Dark City. I wanted a really sensual feel to this cover, soft tones that melt away into the background. Part of the brief was to have a pretty girl on the cover, so that’s what I went with for all three of them!
Cover B: The second cover is my homage to the stereotypical horror films — the sense of foreboding, the pale woman, the sadness in her eyes that belies the terror which awaits the unsuspecting reader…
Cover C: Third try is an obvious visual gimmick — two girls for part two of the series. Ah, but here, things are beginning to be a bit more surreal (the colour scheme helps, or doesn’t, depending on how you view the issue). Are the weird twins afraid or should we be afraid of them instead? Hmm…
Now you may see things very differently — let us know what you think! For me, the whole experience has been incredible — moving from critiquing book covers to actually designing posters and now book covers myself. Okay, time to shut up and let the pictures do the talking… 
.
Credits: Original photographs by loleia.
Hey, great designs, Kenny. I’ve made my comments at Xeus’s. Hope you take them in good stride. Will get back to you about In Bed with Lydia.
Hi Kenny, you’ve been tagged by me. Sorry I really needed you on that island. Hop over when you have some time
)
Let me do this in an orderly manner.
The first one: is serious. dark. morbid. and parallel to the theme. The font colours on this one are faded, thus projecting a cryptic sort of mood–a more mature touch, too.
The second one: kinda exudes the Singapore Ghost Stories vibe–one that is less serious and thrilling–you don’t want that. It still is dark. But it doesn’t quite have the seriousness that the first one possesses.
The third one: is like teen ghost stories–The RL Stine kind. I think it’s the font colours that produce that effect–they’re brighter than the rest–and you used more eye-catching colours–red/orange–something that usually appeals to teens. Overall, this one’s more “brighter”, y’know?
My pick would obviously be cover number 1.
Heya Lydia,
Don’t worry about your comments — everyone sees things differently, that’s the whole point of this voting/survey. Xeus and I have the same favourite cover but since we won’t vote, we won’t divulge which one just yet.
grammar correction please — not ‘fiction books’ please but ‘works of fiction’
i like the first one — odd and mysterious
the second is very nice but not sinister
the third i don’t like ‘cos of the colours
Just recovered missing comments #2 & #3:
FireHorse,
Island? What island? Guess I gotta go check it out first. By the way, which cover did you vote for?
kG,
Cryptic and mature? I like how you put it. Thanks for your vote!
Cover A:
The hand covering a part of the woman’s face looks awkward. Should you use II instead of 2 ? For me personally, the font for ‘Dark City’ looks a wee bit ‘cartoonish’. Cover A is neither here nor there in terms of theme, what you’re trying to say, etc…
Cover B:
Is the best of the lot, for me at least. You can actually view all of the writings on it unlike Cover A and C. But for me, again the fonts for ‘Xeus’ and ‘Dark City’ looks misplaced here.
Cover C:
The only thing that stands out in this cover is the ‘2’. But some may like this, i suppose.
That’s my RM 0.02 worth of comments. Wish you all the best.
Bibliobibuli,
“grammar correction please — not ‘fiction books’ please but ‘works of fiction’”
Considering it’s a quote from a review, I’ll leave it to Xeus on this one, heh heh. I wonder what she’ll say? (Eh, thanks for your review but your grammar wrong one. Can correct ah?)
So far: 2 votes for Cover A; 2 votes for Cover B (via Xeus).
Cutebanana,
Thanks for your RM0.02’s worth! So that’s a vote for Cover B from you?
Now it’s A:2 / B:3 / C:0
(Poor Cover C…)
I’m just gonna go with my gut on this and not over-think it.
’A’ grabbed my attention the most, and felt the most appropriate.
So yea. A it is.
Hi Kenny,
Cover A rings true for the most you wish to impart to readers, I believe. The colour, design grid, etc all reflects the sensuality & drama.
G’luck! *hugs*
To cut to the chase, my vote is for B. For the rest of my two cents…
Cover A: I agree that the hand placement looks awkward but it’s mainly because we don’t see the rest of her arm. It does give off a rather bizarre/odd mood that could work with the theme, but what I don’t like is the composition. There’s too much dark spaces on both sides and it doesn’t look balanced. Perhaps it will work if it’s cropped tighter.
Cover B: Ok, maybe it’s not sinister enough, but I love the use of negative space here. It looks like a movie poster. I would like to see another version in the warm colours of A & C, if this one wins the vote.
Cover C: Uhm, no. I like the idea of the “twins” representing the “2”, but my first thought was “out of ideas = copy layer + horizontal flip”.
Who is the model?
I prefer Cover A. It’s sensual, mysterious and intriguing at the same time. You know, the woman looks bald to me(or is it my bad eyes???)…thus different from the norm.
Yuri,
Like your style, bro — quick and straightforward.
Ellyne,
Wah, got design grid and drama some more…
Tarlia,
Welcome and thanks for voting! Just a quick note on your comment on Cover B — I did consider warmer colours but I wanted one of them to have a cooler, chillier pallette. We’ll see how depending on the results.
wmw,
No, she’s not bald but I do enjoy the optical illusion… Based on the responses, I’d say it’s working…
Now, adding in email votes from Chet (Cover A) and Jason (Cover B), one more Cover B vote from Jenn via Xeus, the results so far are:
A: 6 / B: 6 / C: 0
(Cover C is so not getting any love, hah hah.)
—
Would a short write-up/blurb of the anthologies insides help?
Like the overall theme and mood of the book?
I’m sorry, I couldn’t match or feel the covers in context to the book because I had little info on the book. Yea … I didn’t read the first one.
But I wanted to give some design thought.
And. I have a few .…
pages.
And I’m trying not to take into account, your rationale behind the design. At least not yet, until I can get a feel for the content.
I guess I’ll be reserving my comments to impact and relation to context first.
I think.
Oh dear, I want to say much but this doesn’t seem like the right place to do it.
—
Kein problem, G — you can read more about Dark City 2 here.
I got a statement and a question.
That is a wonderful works. You should be proud.
Who’s the pretty girl? hahha
Thanks, Amaruhizat but as for who’s the girl, why does everyone ask me that with each of my cover?
Latest votes via email: Dr. Alvin Ng and author Yang-May Ooi both says aye to Cover B. Ditto Amaruhizat via Xeus.
Now the tally stands at:
A: 6 / B: 9 / C: 0
Keep voting to get your fav cover to the finish line!
Number two, easily!
“as for who’s the girl, why does everyone ask me that with each of my cover?”
Because mystery always demands answer kan?
i like…
no. 2.
Wow, sounds like you have access to gorgeous women for your covers. Not bad, eh?
Yes, I still like Cover B, but I’m not so in love with the typeface for the title and the Xeus bit.
Cover C: If one of the evil/mysterious twins could eye the other, that would do it for me — I quite like the almost-Warhol-effect with the colours.
Fabulous job, man!
No. 2
because I like the horror film reference (silence of the lambs popped into my head, not like I am a film critic) and it has a natural flow…
(no. 1 in reserve — if you want the reader to feel the awkwardness/uncomfortable-ness — she is almost like a cybergirl or I,Robot-like.)
I like the text!
Well, Amaruhizat, let’s leave it as a mystery then, eh? Reveal too much and not exciting di…
Hmm, Argus — it’s that a vote for Cover B or Cover C? I’m gonna assume it’s for Cover B since that’s the popular choice so far.
Msiagirl,
Silence of the Lambs, huh? I like that reference.
OK, latest results:
A: 6 / B: 13 / C: 0
No.A — I agree with wmw.
Ah, but mystery are meant to be unravelled, ask Stephen King if you don’t believe me, hahaha.
Just based on my gut reaction, I’m a fan of the first one.
I prefered Cover B
Well balance on the subject and title! Good work
I Choose Cover A
Reason: Based on the description you gave on the book content, Cover A represents the story best. The cover itself gives you the twisted and psychotic feel.
Again Cover A… Cover A…Cover A.… Cover A…
P/s: Don’t change anything anymore. Usually you will produce the best art work when you are not thinking too much
…. remember…..
Eh Kenny… no sms system ah? ‘Kenny Mah Cover Idol Season 1′.….
Kenny, these are really wonderful covers. No. 2 really is the best. No. 1’s hand on head is too distracting.
As for the “fiction books” I think you can change it, even if it’s a quote. I’m sure Malaysian Oasis won’t mind and it says the same thing.
i really think that if the grammar of the review is wrong it would be okay to paraphrase it so it does not make the cover totally amateurish and put off potential readers!!! since it is from an online source couldn’t they be asked to make the correction first at their end???
was dropping by to ask if i could ask you to do up a poster for my first poetry slam. sorry to use you like this. but frankly you de man!
i like the 2nd one…;o) the 1st and 3rd one’s kinda scary for me.
(1st): it’s as tho the gurl on the cover is watching my every move. =p
(3rd): this is scary probably because of the colour scheme and the eyes..too big for my liking. *shudders*
i wudn want a book with covers like that in my room. lolzz…
Ooh.. Cover A caught my attention immediately. The pose is unusual, hence making it unique, mysterious and stands out from the rest.
Cover B is very common and more of a “play-it-safe” cover. This concept of showing half of the face while the other half is shadowed in the background looks like an ordinary CD cover or movie poster to me. No offense eh, it’s nice — but it wouldn’t capture my interest.
Cover C has some potential — but could be improved on. Perhaps a little bit of adjustment to its hue and saturation? And the two faces are aligned in a way as though they form an ‘invisible’ tunnel in the middle. So something feels ‘missing’ in here.
For a person who prefers something original and unique, I’d choose cover A. I can imagine seeing these books being displayed in large numbers — whoa, will definitely leave an impact to viewers that pass by.
Overall, you’ve done a wonderful job! Kudos to you!
Shannon,
Glad to have you here! How’s the new apartment now? Where are the pics you promised me?
Rachel,
I trust you on the balance bit, since you are my BodyBalance Idol! Hahaha…
Nisa,
Wow, you must be the biggest fan of Cover A; if there were an SMS system, you’d be flooding the phone lines!
Tunku,
Thanks, and I think your point on Malaysian Oasis is valid (along with Bibliobibuli’s original comment). Will let Xeus know.
Bibliobibuli,
I’m completely swayed by you and Tunku, so we’ll correct it in the final version. As for your first poetry slam, I’m keen! Just email me with the details and such…
spiffy,
If the first and third covers are scary, that means they work, hahaha. But noted — Cover B it is.
Vern,
Thanks for voting, and more so for your detailed comments. I’d have to say I agree with you on Cover B being a tad safe; it is my homage to horror books/films after all. But readers seem to like it — maybe because it speaks a conventional book cover design language, a shorthand of sorts?
Thanks for voting too, Alice! And Amaruhizat, how exactly do I go about asking this multimillionaire author that question? He doesn’t live around my neighbourhood, you know…
Met Marina yesterday and she voted for Cover B. Yvonne Lee (author of The Sky is Crazy) emailed me her vote for Cover A (along some other interesting news, heh). Adding the votes via Xeus: Pebbles (Cover B), John Ling (Cover B) & Zewt (Cover A), we now have:
A: 12 / B: 19 / C: 0
Cover B’s still leading, guys! But there’s been an upsurge in votes for Cover A, so it ain’t over till it’s over!
hahaha…ur probly right…but i wudn buy them tho. heheh..even if i did, the book will be down in the bottom of my other stacks of books. just in case.…
like cover 2– mysterious yet elegant
dont ask me why but:
1. cover 1 somehow reminds me of V for Vendetta.
2. cover 3 looks freaky somehow, i would steer clear frm it if i saw it at bookstores..hehe
I’d go with B too.
Didn’t know you are so easily scared, spiffy — just you wait till this Hallowe’en; you might get a bigger scare than this, heh heh.
sc,
V for Vendetta and freakiness. Sehr kewl…
El Presidente Ted,
B it is, which brings our tally to:
A: 12 / B: 21 / C: 0
ah darn it…now u(and everyone else..=p) noe one of my flaws ady. hahah…yes, i am VERY easily scared. the slightest thing can make me jump..tht’s why i don’t watch horror movies..=P
hmm..since u said tht, i dun think i will be anywhere near you during halloween..haha..
You don’t have to be near me during Hallowe’en to be frightened. Tis a month of spirits and ghostly communication after all…
hahaha.…halloween’s on wed..okie, i shall not open my mail or visit ur blog on that day. IF i still remember it by then…=P
We shall see, shan’t we?
hahah…yep yep…;o)
Great work, Kenny!! Me like “B”! All of the covers are rather well designed! ! You’re very talented!
You sure know how to make a boy blush, Quiet Storm…
can i change my vote to ‘C’ ? kesian lar…
Yes, you can, bro — but we rather have your real pick, so we’ll leave your original vote as it is.
Maybe it’s time to reveal that both Xeus and myself, well, our actual favourite IS Cover C! But we’re not voting and it’s what the readers like that counts!
Not much change thus far:
A: 12 / B: 22 / C: 0
Kenny, Bib and TH are right. We have to correct the grammar in the final version.
I think Zewt voted for cover C in my blog. It’s reversed there, you know.
Xeus,
Yes, and I’ve agreed that it will be changed in the final version. Good thing we have teachers/writers/editors/proofreaders as our friends!
Taking into account the reversed cover/vote, this brings the corrected tally so far to:
A: 11 / B: 22 / C: 1
Cover B is leading wayyyyy ahead.
My vote was for Cover B, but I wish you could make C a bit weirder (it has more potential). Now u can see I’m in two minds, ha. (Twins… two minds, cue: evil music)
Hi Kenny, seeing that you are a writer tot you might know this woman, Tinling Choong, she wrote FireWife. I will be attending her book signing and reading next Thursday as she is touring around the States. Was just wondering if you knew her or her work.
i’ve already voted for cover C… hehe
Zewt,
Xeus says the three of us have the same morbid taste, and now Argus is joining the fray…
Argus, I like the way you think. Maybe something weirder for another project. Xeus wants to keep this commercial, and so do I (if I’m to get any more projects, haha).
FireHorse,
Yes, I’ve heard of Tinling Choong, in fact she’ll be one of the featured authors in one of the upcoming MPH Breakfast Clubs.
Since I’ve designed the poster for the first and second, it looks likely I’ll be designing the poster promoting her appearance at the Breakfast Club too.
Tell her I say hi (she doesn’t know me though, mind you) and ask her if she has any particular ideas for her Breakfast Club poster. Thanks and enjoy her reading!
I like Number 2 mainly because of the sinister green hues, although Number 1 in colour scheme of Number 2 could work too.
Number 3 looks too much like a theatre poster!
Nice work overall though.
Thanks for voting, Li-Hsian! I might just be reworking Cover B in Cover A’s colour scheme, so you’re not too far off the mark.
Your comment on Cover C makes me real happy — it’s my high-drama, oddball, campy poster.
Wow, you designed them? You are soooo talented…they look fantastic. I personally like the second one, it looks like very dark suspense Euro style…
Dark suspense Euro style? I’m gonna quote you on that, heh heh. Now that Rasa Malaysia has voted, votes stand at:
A: 11 / B: 24 / C: 1
Can Cover A grab another 13 votes to catch up? Or is the race over? You tell me.
I thought cover 1 has more theatre feel and cover 2 has film trailer look. Obviously, we would like cover 2.
Cover B it is then, Bob!
Thanks for dropping by, hope all is good with you of late?
I like cover A and B. But, if I see them in the store and I can only buy one, I will buy cover B.
While I was writing this, my hubby walked in, so, I asked him, from a guy’s perspective. He said, if it is sad ending, cover B. If happy ending, cover C.
Hope that helps…
That’s a very interesting take on it; we do want to find out which cover will induce people to buy, after all.
So that’s two votes for Cover B from you and your hubby. (I doubt there’ll many happy endings in this book, heh heh heh.)
Ping Chong, imagine a deep voice booming, “there are no happy endings in this book…” followed by diabolical laughter. Yeaahhh…hahaaaa. hahaaa
Why, Lydia, that’s something I’d expect Xeus to say instead! I guess you are really getting into the groove of horror/dark writing now, huh?
Hey Kenny,
I would go with cover B. Looks dark and foreboding, an indication of the book’s content perhaps?
Cheers.
Definitely an indication of the book’s content, Damien. Thanks for voting though I can’t believe you left your company’s corporate website as your URL, hahah…
Kenny,
I think the first and second cover look not bad. But I’ll choose the first one over the second one cause the second one looks quite common. All those scary movies will have posters look something like that. So, COVER NO.1
oh dear, I tried posting my comments but… it doesnt show
Sorry
is there a word limit to the commentary? I also included a link.
I hereby go forth with my critique, uhmmm — assuming you’ve already decided on the spine and back cover design already
—
Cover one
the image overpowers your title a tad wee too much, specifically the graphic intensity and size. Its almost theatrical in presentation, relying heavily on the type-style font of the title about the content.
I believe the title is weaker than the author’s name– the greater emphasis should be on the title. Maybe playing around more with the typeset size and positioning might help.
Suggestion: Slightly larger title, stronger colour for title, I dont think there’s anything wrong keeping the title the same yellow colour tone. The red could be a better subtext and shadow context.
Oh, you could even have more yellow ‘reflected” from the glow of the face on to the text as a sinister underglow of sorts to the title.
Cover two
Conventionally, the colour gradients work nicely for the content. You work on the viewers sense of colour to imply subtle horrific material — woohoo!
I’m not sure what you can do with the photograph as of now, but it would be nice for the model to have opened her eye and looked at the viewer .It may engage them and you could do some other disturbing shadowed image in the pupil. Small, detail but noticeable — since the eye would draw them in from the face.
Text reads clearer than the other two.
I’d still suggest rearranging the text to capture more. The use of space here is better than the other two, asymmetrically speaking.
Some highlights could be used (as you used a slightly green hued tone for the authors name) on the image as well.
Muted, shadows work better in this case. It also seems to be able to tell more about the content rather than ‘sell’ the her (face), which the other two seem to suggest.
Suggestion:
Either move towards more monotone treatment to bring out the cover and title through a sense of space and shadows or … add slight accent of colour around, primarily to the text, to make it stand out more. You could even treat the text with some soft subtle shadows as well.
Cover three
This has a very jarring effect. The striking almost garish overexposure works, but the placement seems off. Perhaps too low, and the twins effect makes the lower half of the book heavy. Once again, this also de-emphasizes the title, making it almost unimportant.
I like the pic, but am suspicious about its use in this treatment.
Rather than go through this one, I’ve made a sample. its a VERY rough photoshopped version but I hope it helps.
Suggested: Refer to edit link.
LINK: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/Aikuchi/0darkcity2_smpl.jpg
NOTE
—
I’m really sorry if this critique comes of as harsh. A lot of things written online can be misconstrued and intent isn’t usually delivered accurately. I mean no disrespect and I dont want to come off as anything other than giving friendly commentary from a design point of view.
—
((hugs)) ?
Lydia’s story is extremely dark and foreboding.…hahahaha.…
Argus has the same twisted mind as I do…hahahaha. Don’t you, Argus?
Kok,
Couldn’t agree with you more but I’m learning a lot about what I like and what sells may be very different things. Which is what this voting is for!
Xeus,
Argus is one of usssss now…
Now counting one vote each from Ping Chong and her hubby, plus Bob, Damien and Kok, the votes now stand at:
A: 12 / B: 28 / C: 1
G,
No worries, I’m always up for constructive critique — anything to help me improve. Now, I’m not gonna respond to all your comments — the sheer size of ‘em is impressive, but I will say I made a conscious decision to make each cover as different from each other as possible in every single way.
One of the reasons I doubled the face in Cover C was to increase the surrealness factor; a single face as in your sample isn’t that far off from Cover B, and the singular image doesn’t convey as much either.
Interestingly enough Cover A was the original treatment, and when I was asked for a couple more alternates just for contrast, I did Cover B as a clichéd example of what’s out there (which apparently does speak the language of the masses, much humbling me) and Cover C as something fun I’d enjoy. I like how Argus sees it as having a Warholian effect.
I have absorbed everything you’ve said, and am frankly grateful you took the time and trouble to list them all down. You’re the man!
I looked at the three pictures cold. As in, I didn’t read the narration, or try to see the background of the book. All I saw was, Dark Tales2, and the second cover spoke to me the best. I don’t know how to articulate what I felt about it.. it just felt right, on some weird level. So my vote’s for No 2
—
bottom line for commercial designing is to make it appeal to the masses.
have it sell.
Its not always a ”art’- sy or creative flair … it often is as dreary as another menial desk job.
Huge gap between commercial design and pushing the limits of creative design
—
Couldn’t agree with you more, G — however, within the compromise between commercial & creative design, I’m sure there is still some room for a little fun.
This could be why I’m not doing this full-time — don’t want to lose the fun part of it, heh.
woo hoo!! Cover B’s leading…=D
—
Ah,
well, let’s not get into the tirade of complaining about work. There’ll always be something to raise issue about when it comes to the drudgery of a job.
As for the covers,
The treatment of decentralisation and centralization of an image makes a for a very different cover.
This is in regards to you statement “Isn’t too far off”.
I disagree.
Something as simple as changing font colour or enlarging a centralized image by 20% does effectively change the intensity and effect of an image to a viewer.
I guess its perceived ‘little’ details that often makes the differece. I’ve seen decent work/designs turn to effective, mass appeal inspiring posters by a simple change of placement. A simple change of tone, or even shifting the image from left to right.
At least whats what GOOD art directors (or lead designers should be able to do).
Sorry, I seem to be ranting over a slight commentary, but I do feel strongly if you are considering doing design on the side– that each design is ultimately a very technical monster where the public thinks little about how it affects, and thus only cares if they “like” it or not.
The designers shape it, nearly unconscionable and imperceptible to the unwary masses.
(muffled Muahahahaha).
and I still get no hugs
—
Idlan,
I like your strategy the best. This way you aren’t influenced by anything but your gut reaction.
spiffy,
Like this so excited, wonder what happens if you can vote for American Idol ya?
G,
What I meant was that I’ve tried it both ways myself during the layout process (i.e. left/right, all of the images) and found certain placements similar.
I do agree with you on how a little would make a big difference sometimes. I’ve laboured too many times over just differences in pixels not to understand this.
But for the consumer, all they can view most of the times is simply, “This I like” and “This I don’t” and that’s what we have to work with too.
I’m definitely one to pander to the masses, no doubt about it.
hmm…American Idol ah? dun think i’ll be that excited la..sms = $$$ This one F.O.C. hehehh…=P
i will get excited rooting for the one i like tho..=D
Me, I can’t wait till the book is actually published and I can hold my first cover in my own hands…
i can imagine u jumping with joy..showing everyone u know bout the cover that u made. wow!!~~ ;o)
mintak autograph nanti ye kawan…hehe
Ahh, I think best wait for the book to come out first then ask, ya… Don’t wanna jinx anything…
44 votes in — Idlan here (B), Kok Yee via Xeus (B), Leen via email (A); we’re now at:
A: 13 / B: 30 / C: 1
hahha…okok..shhhh.…
p/s: poor cover C…=(
the face on Cover A looks more like a mask, as the skin tone on the woman’s face seems to be pale and of even tone all around her features and the placement of the hand on her face suggests that it is not her own hands otherwise she would have dislocated her shoulder doing that (perhaps it’s her own but she’d be a Yoga master to be able to do that). All in all Cover A is the ‘darkest’ of the 3. But the angle of her head here suggests that we should be able to see her eyes (pupils to be more precise). But the fact that we couldn’t seems to suggests that it is really a mask and not her real face. The fact that the name ‘Xeus’ ‘borrows’ the same colour tone as the woman’s face seems to suggest that it’s a reflection of what Xeus might have ‘experienced’. The irony is Cover A is the most ‘alive’ of all the Covers. It’s as if she might just reach out for you with the contorted hand…sorry for my ramblings…
I’m speechless, bro. So ‘in depth’ — probably more depth than the cover has, heh heh.
I guess what you’re saying is you like Cover A, huh?
Cover B does it for me!
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