The Smashing Book: Vote For The Book Cover Now!
The Smashing Book project is now entering its next phase. Based upon your tremendous feedback, we have finalized the concept and the outline for the book. In fact, the topics have been selected and our writers have already started to brainstorm the ideas for their chapters in the book. The one thing that still remains to be discussed is how the book will actually look like.
And since the Smashing Book is supposed to be the community book, we would like you to decide what design would fit the book best. In this post we present 6 book cover designs that were designed by the community for the Smashing Book Project (see the Book Cover Design Forum). We let you decide what book cover the Smashing Book will have. Please vote in the poll below – it’s your turn now!
Details about the book cover
We have picked out 6 most interesting book cover designs amond a number of drafts suggested in the forum. We think that every design presented below is appropriate for the Smashing Book. However, what cover makes the book look really smashing?
Please notice:
- the book will be a paperback, not hardcover as shown in some drafts below,
- the book will not be available in stores or any retail stores — it doesn’t have to fight for customer’s attention against numerous other books in stores.
- the book should make a really good impression online.
What cover design should the Smashing Book have?
Below you’ll find a brief overview of the 6 book cover designs. You will find more detailed information and preview of each design below, under the poll. You can click on the image for a larger preview. You can vote for multiple designs. Please vote now!
Participants
Here are more details and images of each design. Thank you to designers for participation!
- jokr (1)
- jokr (2)
- briannelsondesign
- motd
- Static44
- mjmonserrat
a) jokr 1
b) jokr 2
c) briannelsondesign
d) motd
e) Static44
f) mjmonserrat
Thank you for participation, folks! And please feel free to let us know your ideas, thoughts and suggestions in the comments to this post! Thank you for your time.
ray
April 9th, 2009 10:35 ami like F
Daryn St. Pierre
April 9th, 2009 10:46 amI think all of them are awesome but C stands out for me. When I view the covers, C is the one that I think brands Smashing Magazine the best. Plus I like how it uses negative space. It’s really nice. Awesome work!
Design Jar
April 9th, 2009 12:36 pmPersonally I like the d) design and f)
Aimee Greeblemonkey
April 9th, 2009 12:44 pmAll are quite nice, but I was especially drawn to F. Second fave is D.
Jason
April 9th, 2009 12:52 pmI like C the best but it would be nice to see how the design for the back of the book was tackled. It would be a good idea to include “from the authors of Smashing Magazine” like comp A did.
Festo
April 9th, 2009 1:10 pmC of course !
It looks like an evidence. When you look at it, it cannot be anything else than the Smashing Magazine book.
It reflects everything Smashing Magazine fights for : simplicity and efficiency. And I don’t even speak about the timeless design.
C !
Aaron
April 9th, 2009 1:23 pmIs it just me, or does option “B” look way too much like an NBA logo?
I vote for option “A” and “F”.. though option “D” is good too.
Hum, maybe make a limited edition of each cover type? (Or include printable cover overlays for each design… hosted here at SmashingMag as jpgs?… that would fit in with the “customize it out you want it” goal of design)
Thanks, can’t wait for the book!
Loky
April 9th, 2009 1:38 pm“C” version for the win!
L O
April 9th, 2009 1:55 pmE, because it’s not C. No, really, it actually uses the idea of “smashing” in the design. Not just patterns.
cLaK
April 9th, 2009 2:12 pmI like the option “A”
kolle
April 9th, 2009 2:15 pmf
Silvia
April 9th, 2009 4:49 pmI like them all!!! A the least, but they are all good for me. Good luck!
Eric Kelsey
April 9th, 2009 6:52 pmI think “C” fits your branding well and is the best option. “A” comes in a distant second.
Horeanu
April 9th, 2009 11:45 pm‘C’ the best :D
boriana
April 10th, 2009 12:16 amC. My opinion is the same as in comment #213.
Robert
April 10th, 2009 1:33 amMy vote for “e) Static44″.
Being the only design expressing the word smashing, it adds interest, and makes you want to pick up the book, and see what it’s all about.
Robert
Mohsen
April 10th, 2009 1:44 amD = The Gentleman
Charles
April 10th, 2009 2:21 amI really like proposition a.
It really gives a original and recognizable touch.
Congrats to the author!
Bjørn Friese
April 10th, 2009 2:58 amI voted for b, but as it seems now, c is winning! But c is also nice, good luck with the book guys.
vick
April 10th, 2009 3:07 amthe “D” is the very usual. Don’t use it! :)
My choice is “A”. Where I can get it? )
Kay Hwee
April 10th, 2009 5:21 amDesign D is simplistic yet effective, my kind of book cover for my to-be favourite book :D
sara
April 10th, 2009 5:54 amI think that C really captures attention the best. And I would immediately know what it was for when I saw it in a bookstore, since that’s the logo that’s in my bookmarks, etc.
Many good choices though!
Andre Morgan
April 10th, 2009 6:08 amD to me is the most effective considering the current smashing identity. Simple yet effective and not departing too far from current smashing graphics.
Vinicius
April 10th, 2009 7:55 amC!
Ryan Hayden
April 10th, 2009 8:06 amI love both C and D. Would definitly say D if it didn’t have “mashing book” on the bottom. You should go with one of those.
Jim Hanifen
April 10th, 2009 12:00 pmI know it is currently in third but the winner should definitely be F. Please F, if you go with F I might even buy two! Can’t wait for the book any ideas on publish date and where it will be available?
Lowell
April 10th, 2009 12:23 pmA combination between C and E would work great!
e
April 10th, 2009 2:40 pmD. Solid, clean and effective.
Alison
April 10th, 2009 3:17 pmAre you kidding me, hands down B!!!
All the rest are too generic, too dark and dingy, or too…unclear in what they are.
Speaking words of wisdom, letter B.
Colin
April 10th, 2009 9:00 pmMy choice is F without out a doubt.
saeed
April 11th, 2009 12:24 amCan we expect the soft copy to be free :)
My choice is either a Or d.
Bekalius
April 11th, 2009 7:56 amVERY BEST IS D</strong
Camilo Oliveira
April 11th, 2009 9:10 ama) is undoubt the best cover. Very different. Congrats jokr
Joe
April 11th, 2009 9:19 amD Simple and Attractive Design. A, B, C, E, F are to shocking to the eye as far as color goes.
Seraphim Collective
April 11th, 2009 9:48 amI vote for C cause it fits the overall branding. :0)
drew
April 11th, 2009 9:58 ambriannelsondesign “C” !!!
Maverick
April 11th, 2009 2:23 pmI think F has more design value and will stand out on the shelves.
Only comment is to reduce white from the text and UV that area to make it prominent.
And no need to repeat the logo again. Only “THE SMASHING BOOK” is enough as in design C. Smashing in red and the rest in grey.
Paul Cypert
April 11th, 2009 7:16 pmTo be honest I like some of the other designs better, but like F or A due to the fact that they represent sort of a “collective” of mini images. I think that since the book is about group think and a collective approach to making it, the cover could reflect that. The giant S is striking but is singular in vision. I really think that a sum of multi parts represents the concept of the book more.
Paul
tascha
April 11th, 2009 7:58 pmcan’t wait for the book :)
Ehsan
April 11th, 2009 9:03 pmI like F the most
Mark
April 12th, 2009 9:02 amA is awesome, but seems like it’s gonna be C :(
Thomas
April 12th, 2009 12:41 pmA dans B are awesome, though I don’t like the arrows on the word “book”.
About C and D… Helvetica, one more time? Come on, guys, there are some other font in the world!
brent
April 12th, 2009 4:27 pmI like F the most, VOTE for F!!!
let’s put F on top!
dennis
April 12th, 2009 5:35 pmI’ve heard F is made by a ‘Pinoy’….
no doubt….
it’s great
mjmonserrat
April 12th, 2009 6:21 pmWOW…. thanks for the support guys(entry F)! keep the votes coming!
mjmonserrat
April 12th, 2009 10:20 pmI’m the designer of F cover… ha ha ha, thanks for those who vote my design. Specially those who posted their comments. Thanks to the “F SUPPORTERS”:Pandjarov,Kane,Matt,Tim Ward,Jorge Linares,Luca,maneesh Prabhalayam,Nick,durnin,stiggs,bren,Katia,culvi,Tony O’Donohoe,Peter Skenandore,Sythe,adrian boioglu,Lea Verou,Ben,midas,Eric,Raman Sharma, zuodao, smailfish,Lien,thanh truc,Stefano,cem,lpociask, Mike,Farzad,Dave,ferocesalatino,Bartp,Dörthe,Adam Alyan,kuve,micce,Andrew Turnbull,FFF,ziosteve,Mephisto,snu1031,Eduardo Ascencio, ray,Design Jar,Aimee Greeblemonkey,Aaron,kolle,Jim Hanifen, Colin,Paul Cypert,Ehsan,brent, and dennis
Maya
April 13th, 2009 2:23 amAll the designs are nice. . . I prefer Cover F
Mario
April 13th, 2009 8:42 amI liked ‘B’
giuliano
April 13th, 2009 12:48 pmIt is obvious that the better cover is the smashed one (e).
Really great effect on screen so terrific for advertising and pdf version.
e 1+
sugar
April 13th, 2009 3:35 pmi voted for F! F as in Fantastic and Futuristic! go tutep!
pavan
April 13th, 2009 10:52 pm“D” is excellent.
My Opinions :
——————
“A” – Great work but it seems a pattern like gift cover.
“B” – looks old Book. And the Shape “S” is not correct.
“C” – looks ok. What is the special in that book(no creativity).
“D” – great look. why i choose this is – smashing magazine website main attachtion is the highlight colors are logo and darkgray. The logo in the black is excellent work. and the back side also so nice.
“E” – It looks some kind of retro
“F” – Great work. i feel some thing is missing on that cover.
Susie Blackmon
April 14th, 2009 1:21 amLove D.
Quakeulf >:3
April 14th, 2009 3:13 amEverytime I see this poll I vote C.
Vote C for great justice.
C for president.
C is the best.
Ronan Murphy
April 14th, 2009 4:01 amFor me its C, I think it will look nice as a hardback at a4.
Well done to all who got shortlisted.
R
Eric Martin
April 14th, 2009 8:48 am“A” has a strong layout with the Smashing icon motif pattern. But there is way too much going on here with this design. The nice cool pattern juxtaposed on top of the competing orange reload graphic is way too overpowering. The reload mark really is not necessary for this design. The pattern does enough. Get rid of this and you have your winner! :-)
“B” Nice concept but “A” in my opinion portrays the brand better.
“C, D” Simple is always better but these are too simple.
“E” This design has a nice background texture portraying the “smashing” idea. However I am a little put off by the Smashing Icon on top. Too much contrast here. And the grittiness added to the icon I think is a bad move for the brand. I understand the idea but it’s not working for me.
“F” Nice idea with the play on code integrated with the S icon. But the design has too much contrast. This design needs more whitespace. And let’s not kid ourselves; code is hidden behind the scenes for a reason. But if you are going to use code in your design, make it more interesting without it dominating the entire design.
“B-F “ all use the giant “S” icon in their designs. And they all share a common technique but neither of them really sticks out except for “A.” Make the changes suggested to “A” and you have your winner! Cheers!
xants
April 14th, 2009 10:23 amC of course:-)
aankun
April 15th, 2009 12:52 amcan you give me one after it finished? :D
p0wnc3D
April 15th, 2009 12:53 amD of course
Allison
April 15th, 2009 2:25 pmI choose designs A and B. A has the tessellation pattern going on, which is really striking, and B has the clean contrasting colors.
Ashim
April 15th, 2009 10:12 pmI loved E!
Perhaps you can treat the cracked glass image to make it look more ’2009′
Julian
April 16th, 2009 4:35 amF, definitely F.
Arley
April 16th, 2009 7:28 amMe parece exelente que se este realizando un proyecto como este por parte de SmashingMagazine. Soy Diseñador gráfico, y en realidad que me han encantado las entradas de este sitio.
Por favor, publiquen la publicacion del libro pronto!…
jojo toth
April 17th, 2009 12:07 amD looks like cool book BUT C is smashing as smashing magazine
all other are behind
Jokr
April 17th, 2009 3:17 amI like a) . . . maybe because it’s mine . . . but that’s not the only reason:
lets start with the others:
b) also my design (I chose blue as the second color because it’s the complementary color to the reddish-orange on the smashing logo) . . . I knew the second I finished the design that it contained too many elements for a book cover, it was to complicated and that’s why it not my first choice
c) probably the best design for an inexperienced eye . . . sure it’s a clean design . . . but also its the smashing logo spread onto the whole page . . . way to simple . . . where’s the design work in that . . . it’s the first idea that popped into everyone’s head -> lets make the logo as big as the page . . . NO NO GOOD show me some real design work please.
d) the same as c) way too simple . . . a logo thrown onto a black page . . . and please take some time to consider the typography is that the first font that come up in the list or what?
e) it sure took a bit more to design than the others . . . it also involved an idea rather than a simple logo onto a page . . . it’s not bad . . . unfortunately it’s not ehat the smashing book is all about it doesn’t say design nor coding nor typography . . .
f) too much code . . .not enough design . . . sure black looks nice . . .also does red . . . but give me something more than a few lines of code
And finally . . . why a)
because it’s simple but not boring . . . the pattern is gray, easy on the eye, and focused your attention on the orange logo . . . it shows that some design work has been done to complete the cover . . . and also it’s by far the best design here :D . The two reversed “O” ‘s in BOOK show you that the book takes you back through all the articles on the site, through all the experience accumulated in time by smashing magazine and gives an overall look on design, coding and everything smashing
abed el salam
April 18th, 2009 7:40 pmWow,Thanks
Link
qwerty
May 5th, 2009 4:13 pm‘A’ is like a gift wrapper, I think it’s not applicable as a book cover. No wonder why it’s at the bottom 3
iggy
July 8th, 2009 7:18 amYou should publish this book with a POD provider like Lulu.com. No cost for you and saves trees by not printing a gazillion books that may or may not sell. POD is the way to go and Lulu seems to have more size, printing, and binding options than anyone else out there.