A fatal flaw in these designs is how much these 'templates' need the correct amount of copy for it to be effective in demonstrating its use. Using to kill a mockingbird as an example, the composition falls flat as it fails to 'fill up' the template as succinctly as the In Cold Blood variation.
It was brazen to attempt to create a template Penguin could use. The competition is asking for creative interpretations of these book titles that are meant to 'wow' and attract the everyday reader. The penguin team are more than able to create a template of their own, it is unnecessary and a possible waste to have gone down this route as a design solution.
Rereading the brief provided more reason as to why this approach should not be chosen. Most importantly are the requirements for a 'imaginative concept and original interpretation of the brief' and 'point of difference from the many other book covers it is competing against'. This graphic solution does not achieve these two aims. For readers, this will come across as a reserved approach to book design that will not ultimately shout for their attention in the bookstore. An artistic solution to the brief is better suited to these aims and will stand a better chance amongst the competition.
Nevertheless what the intended template does possess is an unorthodox approach to book cover design. The weights of the cover copy are overtly thick and highly contrasting, combined with a cold and stark white background that doesn't evoke much emotion to the reader. This visual approach is hardly seen on story book covers, but more so on books for design. This emotional disconnect will probably hurt the sales of the book which is a criteria that Penguin are aiming to achieve. Furthermore In Cold Blood's target audience aren't designers. Therefore the considerations for type, leading and overall composition would probably be lost to the average reader.
The design was meant to be utilitarian and objective yet flexible enough to accommodate a range of titles and authors. Its downfall was that the 'template' was centered too much on this specific book title rather than the vast majority of others that needed to be.
This is why despite the simplistic and straightforward book covers for Penguins Little Black Classics, it works as a template because of how flexible it is given the varying amount of copy used for each one.
The design was meant to be utilitarian and objective yet flexible enough to accommodate a range of titles and authors. Its downfall was that the 'template' was centered too much on this specific book title rather than the vast majority of others that needed to be.
This is why despite the simplistic and straightforward book covers for Penguins Little Black Classics, it works as a template because of how flexible it is given the varying amount of copy used for each one.
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