Personal Development for Smart People Book Cover

[WilliWibald]

To be honest:
All suggestions look better to me, than the original. I would change it, if I could (but I have absolutely no idea what the laws of succesful cover design are). But to me personally it does not appeal. And as already stated earlier in this thread: The rectangles remind one of Win 95/98 (which for me stands for: outdated, embarrassing technology).
Still, I will buy it, no matter how it looks like. Because I'm consciously addicted to your non-stylish-looking blog for it's SUPER-UBER-content. And I'm very curious what the book will be like - besides its cover

[supertom]

when does the book come out in sydney ?? STEVE make sure you send some to sydney bookshops !!!!! LOL

[Rosie]

Is it just me, or has Steve only written a few articles this month. Maybe he's just really busy with his book.

[Toefur]

Steve's original cover looks to me like some crappy run of the mill personal development book, or some crappy run of the mill business management book. It doesn't really stand out and say, "THIS" Personal Development book is good/important.

Can't wait for the book, Steve!

[bigadam]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Is it just me, or has Steve only written a few articles this month. Maybe he's just really busy with his book.

From his latest blog post:

I know my blogging has been a little slim this month. That’s because I’ve had a lot of side projects going on, including my book and some upcoming speaking engagements. Last night I participated in a new documentary being made about overcoming the fear of public speaking. A film crew came to my Toastmasters club and filmed our entire meeting, so maybe you’ll be seeing us at Cannes someday. I expect to be able to pick up the pace of blogging in about a week, so rest assured there will be some creative new articles coming up.

[supertom]

c'mon steve give us a spoiler, just one principle !!!! haha

[jennifer]

i have to agree with most of the posters on this thread when i say that the original cover design really does nothing for me. as others have said it really does look cheap and like it would be full of same old same old profit generating b.s. rather than the amazing content i am anticipating.
personally i would really push for a better cover, as- although i am of course going to buy this book- i generally pick up the books that have the better covers in order to flick through/read the blurb. i dont think i would get as far as picking the book up with this original design if i hadnt heard of you, its just too cheap...
all in my humble opinion of course
x

[Anna Conlan]

It could also be a good idea to ask people who aren't readers of your blog - the type of reader you want to target- whether they are attracted by the cover.

Because a lot of people here are going to buy the book anyway, regardless of what it looks like!

[Bene]

When I first saw the cover design before I read any of the replies, I wasn't feeling it. My first impression would be that its a second-rate book... unfortunately.

[Neutral]

This may be over the top (especially for a "blogger") but it looks DEFINITIVE. It looks like it has enough philosophical weight to last the human era.

Weren't you going for that?

People are forgetting that that this will be a best seller, and later editions could have a different cover anyway.

[Thomas]

I think that the philosophical weight to last the human era should be created by the contents rather than the cover. ;-)

As for the contents, I'm quite certain it'll be nowhere near lightweight class. As for the cover, I don't think heavyweight is a good way to be communicate accessibility (I quite like the For Smart People title in that context).

[dmaterialized]

Not to reiterate what everyone else has been saying, but the original cover sucks. It's cheesy, 80s-corporate, and totally lacking in anything intriguing or "special".

You can have a cover that a CEO will want to read, without resorting to what's essentially a Powerpoint slide.

Ellie's design is a step in the right direction-- still corporate in its own way, but without the total mediocrity of the original look. I'm really amazed that the cover is so bland, considering how exceptional the writing will be (and obviously I'm buying a copy no matter what, but you knew that).

Who honestly thinks that duo-tone look is still "cool"? We have Apple products now. We have designers. Regardless of the hard-hitting nature of the content, or the fact that it's intended for a businessman (for example), you can say a lot more with subtlety than with exhausting colors. Photography is actually nice. Having good typography is no longer a decision. Steve, I know your background certainly isn't in design (and neither, apparently, is Hay House), but surely you can do better? I guess there's always the second edition.

[HealingMaven]

I love the title and subtitle, and that "Smart People" stands out... but the color block scheme on the whole reminds me of a text book, and I'm not sure if that's what you were going for. (You might be -- you did say the book was "hardcore and cerebral".)

I'm actually rather partial to the one that Tuumble designed on the white background, not just because of the general look, but because of the little bits of scripted font make me think of the Declaration of Independence and the tie in to the "pursuit" of personal growth to the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it though.

[yossarian]

As a person who is extremely left-brained, I think your original cover is excellent.

Left brained people are turned off when information sources also seek to be art sources.

Left brained people like their informational books to be clean and to-the-point.

I think your cover will do well to reach your niche audience which is rational, scientific types like myself. (an audience for whom there are very few good PD sources. Try finding a PD speaker who doesn't mention service to God, unconditional love, or some kind of unscientific mish-mash reasoning that includes inaccurate statements about quantum mechanics, Einstein, and psychology. The level of scientific illiteracy among the PD-crowd is ridiculous - Steve is a rare exception)

When I was first linked to your website, one of the things I liked was the simple style. If it had looked like a doily New Age site with a yellow background on pink italics with a flower in the title, I would probably never have read it.

There are lots of PD people who focus on pretty graphics. To me the Steve Pavlina brand is unique because it's written by a guy with a math degree in a highly rational style. I can link Steve Pavlina articles to pure atheists with Ph.Ds and they will find value, whereas if the site looked like your typical clichéd "Love the skin you're in" stuff they wouldn't even read it.

[supertom]

I think the book reflects steves blog, take a look for yourself

Steve Pavlina . com
Personal Development for Smart People ALL IN BLUE....

thats his blog look and the book is just like that, its his style so it works out great.

[Andreas]

Hi Steve,

As you know, visual messages are so important in marketing, and as others have said, at the end of the day the cover of your book has a impact on your sales, for better or for worse. Even though there is an element of subjectivity in all design, there are clear psychological principals in affect here. You probably knew that but it bears repeating because, while I believe this is a strong cover, there are some areas where big improvements could be made, and quite easily. I have over 7 years of layout and graphic design experience, so I've had time to develop and understanding of when the pixels begin working against us.

The red/blue combination is rather harsh on the eyes and even conveys a subliminal medical feel to it. As others have said, the 'p' in 'development' hangs over the 'a' in 'smart' which looks very unprofessional. Also, your name in the cover is bold in all capital letters, which is good, but the font lacks sophistication.

CHAKRAS:

Overall, the cover's color scheme is what works against you the most. Looking at this from another perspective, the red in your book cover symbolizes the base chakra associated with survival, instinct, and security. In fact, the colors of red and yellow are subliminally tied to food and survival in most cultures which is why you see them in many modern fast food restaurants around the world. It all contributes to a psychological effect.

Conversely, green creates a sense of harmony and calm in the cover. And after I did this, I found out that green symbolizes the heart chakra.

I realize that you're not designing the book cover, but I know you are the one who creates your reality and can offer suggestions to the publisher. You are the one who taught me to ask "Is this me?", so I ask you: Is this Steve? Should the image of your first book be anything less than a reflection of you?

At the end of the day, one cover communicates an urgent feeling and one communicates a calming feeling. Which do you want associated with your words?


(The font used for your name is Adobe Garamond Pro Bold.)

[Still Growing]

Steve, I think that you should come up with a logo that become synomonous with you and your mission. And that you should use this logo and coloring on your website too.

If you like the simplistic look of your website then maybe design your book using the symplistic approach but still incorporating a logo. Maybe a logo of a brain but colored 80% showing a partial charge. Or a brain that has roots and looks like a tree. A good logo helps brand your image for the future...

Furthermore I think that you should somehow make the book's cover convey that you have a cult like following already. Maybe some small captions that deliver a home spun, grassroots anti guru feel. In a craigslist sort of way...

Another idea could be a picture of you standing with what appears to be thousands of people behind you and somehow convey an already existing support. Maybe with wires connecting your brain to all those standing behind you.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for SMART PEOPLE by Steve Pavlina
"Some caption saying something about your blog and all the way to being an author ;;insert here"

I didn't put much though into the above and I am more or less brainstorming. I just think that you need to capture what you've already got and bottle it.

You got to go with what brought you here Steve. You are coasting down hill and should not make it more difficult for yourself by snipping all the momentum you have built up.

[Still Growing]

Originally Posted by Tuumble

I really like your design Ellie, far more than either of mine.

Just wanted to add Steve in himself a little authenticity.

I love this cover with Steve on it.

Not so sure of the tag line... Again it does not harness who you are....

[Love]

I liked Tuumble's first version best. On the bookshelf, it was in the center row, but I agree that the color on the white background would be a nice contrast and eye-catching.

I thought Steve's original cover looked fine, but after reading everyone's comments, I can see the "corporate" look. I also hadn't noticed the people in the original version. I think they look creepy, like phantoms.

I do think Tuumble's version was the one that popped the most.

Well, now I'm looking at Still Growing's version. I like the picture on the front. Steve looks very confident in the picture.

[Rose of Cairo]

Originally Posted by Andreas

At the end of the day, one cover communicates an urgent feeling and one communicates a calming feeling. Which do you want associated with your words?

Aaah Andreas, an urgent feeling, yes, that's what I was trying to say when I said it makes me feel nervous. I like your version with green instead of red very much. I believe it would be even better without the yellow, with "personal development" white too.

[Arboretor]

I am not too thrilled with the cover, but if you want to keep it, remove the outline of the text. I think it makes the design more glutted (if this is the right word in English).

[Andreas]

Hello again Steve,

While pre-ordering your book, I noticed that the old book cover art has made it onto Amazon.

At the very least, I really hope that you're able to tell them to fix the dangling "p" over the "a" in "smart". It just doesn't look worthy of you, Steve, and from this thread I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

Seems like you got a lot of feedback on the book cover, some of which is conflicting, but the "p" thing should be ringing loud and clear. ;-)

Best of luck with the book, Steve. Thanks for devoting yourself to the highest good of all.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Andreas

While pre-ordering your book, I noticed that the old book cover art has made it onto Amazon.

Yes, Steve has made it pretty clear that he's not interested in our opinions on this matter.

Unfortunately we'll never know what sales might have been with a different cover, so we'll never be able to conclusively determine whether it would have made a difference. (Though it would have, of course. ).