progress report #6: Multidimensional

cover design mode

Let’s talk cover design.

I had a few cover ideas and sketches that I liked for this collection of poetry and short stories. Three main ideas, to be exact.

With multiple sketches and mental images of these cover ideas, I needed to get these ideas out of my head and into a more physical space, even if it was just my computer screen. To help me visualize, I worked out mockup of each idea, trying not to spend too much time on them, knowing that two weren’t going to make the cut. Spending time making these will be worth it because it’ll help me decide! I reassured my cat. This would bring the best design choice to the surface.

Which backfired a little.

Because now I love all of them even more than I already did. So which do I choose?

only one can be America’s next top cover design

Plan A was always the one I assumed would be in the lead, and the only reason I didn’t stick to it and put all my energy into making that mockup instead of mocking up the others was because it wasn’t turning out exactly the way it had looked in my mind. Thinking this could mean that I wasn’t going to like it as much, I went ahead mocking up the others. But I still believe it to be the strongest design for the title of Multidimensional. It feels the most “multidimensional.”

The others feel “multidimensional” for me too, but without explanation of why I chose that for the design, the deeper meaning would be reserved just for me and whoever I tell. To an unknown reader or buyer, that meaning would be lost on them. A good cover still? Sure. I think they each would be, anyway. But a direct and obvious representation of the title? Maybe not so much.

there is no wrong choice

As far as I’m concerned, all three would work and look great. But I also think Plan A is winning out, as long as I can get it to look right. And if it doesn’t look right by my deadline, then at least I have a solid plan B and C.

currently

Today, I am focusing my efforts on making plan A match the mental image I was going for the best I can. I got annoyed with Adobe Illustrator for not cooperating with me, so I took a break to work out, go for a walk, and write this letter to you. What I’m trying to accomplish is outside the realm of my current Illustrator knowledge, which—if you’ve been keeping up for a while, you know what I like to say—is a great (albeit frustrating) way to learn more and expand the ol’ horizons.

I’m about to get back into it to see if Adobe and I can work together to make my cover dreams come true. Since you are a precious subscriber and follower of my work, I want to show you my initial sketch of plan A:

More info to come soon… including my release date!

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Got you covered,

Natalie