Need Your Help - Engine Rebuild Book Cover Design...

[Wayne 962]

Ok, due to a large debacle at MBI, I did not see the cover of 101 Projects until the final book arrived via FedEx on my desk.

This time around, I am making sure that I have a more "active" role in the design of the cover of the Engine Rebuild Book. Since I do all of the graphic design for Pelican Parts' ads, I figured I would take a stab at designing my own cover. The cover experts at MBI have also designed a cover for the book.

Without telling you which one is the one that I designed, I would like your input and feedback on the following two covers:




I am also interested in feedback on what can be done to improve the cover(s). I'm sure if you've been around here at least for five minutes, you can probably guess which one I came up with.

I will show my MBI editor this page, as an argument for which cover to use. It's somewhat of a beauracracy over there, and the cover designers like to do things 'their way' because it's 'their job' and authors supposedly don't know 'anything' about designing book covers.

Thanks in advance,

-Wayne

[andymin]

the top one looks better to me, typeface is more modern, layout cleaner and the pics are more exciting

[emcon5]

You going to include this?



Tom

[usurpah]

Wayne,
Of the two, I prefer the black cover. Not really for the design or background colors, but for the images. The main image on the red cover doesn't have enough contrast, and it looks like it's from your camera, perhaps?

Also, can the "Motorworks Workshop" go away? I think it would look better without that bar. Also, I would use the same title font as what was used on the 101 Projects book. Even though you may not like the font, consistency is key.

Looks good! Can't wait!

[Wayne 962]

Let's assume that I can switch pictures around too, so don't take the quality of pictures into account...

-Wayne

[cegerer]

The black one is much, much easier to read!!! The red one looks, well, terrible. -- Curt

[Emission]

BLACK: The crystal-clear picture of that engine (minus the bodywork) is beautiful. I was immediately drawn to it.

Additionally, there is no need to waste the copy about the 'years covered' when most late-model Porsche's are not getting re-built. The book's audience knows what models are covered just by glancing at the cover image.

[rstoll]

The black cover will jump off the shelf much faster.

[Wayne 962]

emcon5 - I don't know why they cut that image last time - it will be there this time...

-Wayne

[k9handler]

Made a quick change to the one I like best, hope you don't mind my little additions and changes. If so, I will delete it.

[Don Plumley]

Okay, I'll pitch in my $0.02: The black cover, as others have said, is more eye catching. That's my general vote.

I'm not wild about the "Motorbooks Workshop" header at all.

In regards to the photos (which are quite nice, especially the dizzy shot), I suggest something which shows a tool in use on an engine part - ring compressor, dial caliper, torque wrench. This would make it more active - "ahhh, use tools, fix motor, good."

I could also see MBI putting a corner banner on that says something like "From the author of 101 Projects..." - good cross selling and validation language.

Looks good!

Don

[Wayne 962]

What, like this?



-Wayne

[Bill Douglas]

Black.

[mark 74 carrera]

BACK IN BLACK!

[ErVikingo]

Definitely the black one and without the Motorbooks, .... if possible.

The otehr one is boring and even if your book focuses on certain years, including it on the title sounds too limiting. The air cooled boxers are basically the same (oops I feel a ton of cr_p coming my way) so I'm sure there are lessons in there which could be applicable to newer motors.

Sign me up for one, pronto!!!

[MotoSook]

The black one gets my vote and my order.....OK I'll order it regardless, but the black one would look better on my coffee table next tot he 101 book.

[s scholze]

Easy. Top - great photos & font. I want a copy NOW. No, RIGHT now!

[82SC]

i would try to make is as silmilar to the 101 projects book...it is good to see continuity and you can establish your series of books as a "set"

MJ

[rickeolis]

The red one looks old, and I agree with taking out the MotorBooks Workshop personally...

[H20911]

black! mostly because it will match the 101 book that I have. I don't even have a p-engine and I will buy one if it is black. Also I think that you can loose the "motor books workshop" And put pelicanparts.com or something.

Just asked my wife and she said black because the red looks old style and the black is easier to read.