Cover Contest: Getting Started in Hold 'em -- Second Try

[Nagoo81]

Hey, those are some kick ass covers. If those images are originals, my hat's off to ya.

I did a spine too, as I felt that is an important part of the exterior. However, I know that Mason and Co. have their own certain things they need to put on the back, so I refrained from making a rear cover.

I hope I can just a get a shirt. I'm not sure what I'd do with 2 sets of books anyways. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Caruso329]

I think the horizontal text is much better IMO. Even though the sideways text does add a nice touch, readability is key here and should be your main priority.

EDIT:

Nevermind, I compared them both side by side and I like the sideways one... [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Trace:

Since the contest is still going on, I need to respond here in a neutral manner.

The back cover will follow our standard design with the front cover's color scheme. That is on the bottom will be the bar code, the Two Plus Two logo, the small box recommending our web site, and the larger box with the Greg"Fossilman" Raymer quote. Above that will be the the large box with verbage describing the book and on the top will be the title and author's name. Also, somewhere on here will be the author's picture. Because of this I only requested that a front cover be designed.

Best wishes,
mason

[k_squared]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Trace:

Since the contest is still going on, I need to respond here in a neutral manner.

The back cover will follow our standard design with the front cover's color scheme. That is on the bottom will be the bar code, the Two Plus Two logo, the small box recommending our web site, and the larger box with the Greg"Fossilman" Raymer quote. Above that will be the the large box with verbage describing the book and on the top will be the title and author's name. Also, somewhere on here will be the author's picture. Because of this I only requested that a front cover be designed.

Best wishes,
mason

[/ QUOTE ]

Mason,

Why do you feel the need to have the back cover follow a particular stylistic pattern? If you are willing to open up the cover design on the front of the book to a new interpretation that will be more attractive then why not also consider allowing the back to be redesigned? What reason is there for not even considering changing the back of the book as well (especially when it works so well!)?

I think the bullet points on the back effectively draw the reader in and if he/she wants more info before buying you can have an abstract on the first page that would have the info about the author that would have been on the back.

I think it is a mistake to limit the creativity of your entrants in this way. I think that Traces entries are far and away the best, and in large part because of the flow from the front cover to the spine to the back...

Trace's cover seems to be one that many people think looks the best... and perhaps that means you should reconsider your thoughts about the back cover, rather than just falling back on the fact that your original intent was just to have a front cover designed.

I believe that it would probably draw a first time reader in a lot more to have bulleted information about the book rather than info about Ed. The type of player you are appealing to (beginners) will reach for either an attractive book or a known author first, and while I think Ed is an articulate and insightful poker analyst he hasn't played on the World poker Tour, or won a WSOP bracelt (how the masses measure success). To the end of advertising to the beginning poker player, it makes sense to have Raymer's quote also included on the back, but I am confident that could be tastefully included! A beginner would have no attachment to the well constructed and solid library of resources that 2+2 provides. So, get the hook in by using the great cover Trace designed!!!

I don't know the technical issues involved in printing... and perhaps those issues complicate the matter. Good luck choosing a cover.

-k_squared

[Rob Blackburn]

k_squared hit the nail on the head here, I think its time for a revamp and arrive in the new century here.

I will freely admit I passed over 2+2 books for at least a year and a half just because of the design on the covers. Little did I know that the pages between the hedious design would make me a player 10x better than I was, but I didn't know I just went on apperance.

Granted I have become fond of the old school design, but I think its time to step into the future.

All us nerds are buying the book regardless, why not just pick up a few thousand or more people in sales because it looks cool, I know its not all about money, but hell it doesn't hurt.

[elwoodblues]

[ QUOTE ]
I know its not all about money, but hell it doesn't hurt.


[/ QUOTE ]

Of course it's all about the money. What else is a cover design about?

[pokerOpus]

Here is my roomates cover. Its a first draft and any comments would be appreciated.

[MarkL444]

opus, yours is pretty good. but i dont think any so far compete with traceones. honestly, you guys might as well stop.

[Tron]

Opus, this cover is really nice, but just one question: What is that thing over the cards?

[pokerOpus]

[ QUOTE ]
Opus, this cover is really nice, but just one question: What is that thing over the cards?

[/ QUOTE ]

I presented that question to my roomate. He says the rotated "M" is supposed to represent a hand holding the cards. I also wondered what it was when I first saw it.