Suspense thriller cover feedback? Got what I needed--thanks!!

Slaven · Apr 6, 2017

#2.

Have you consider making it black&white with really red blood and maybe redish sun?

Gregg Bell · Apr 6, 2017

Staugaard said:
Two thoughts and please take this with a grain of salt, since I'm definitely not a designer. First thought: I'd be careful with yellow - at least here in Denmark it signals discount prices and people will typically associate certain shades of yellow with something cheap. There may be "expensive" yellow, but that would probably be of a more subtle hue either darker or lighter. Second thought: Few things draw attention as well as human faces (blood, weapons, and nudity being other candidates). While you do have an expressive face on there, it's kind of hidden and you don't necessarily see it at first. Maybe dimming the background would make it more immediately visible.

Thank you, Staugaard. That's very good to know about the yellow and black and the face. I am going to post two new versions that I think may make the face more visible. I appreciate your feedback.

Gregg Bell · Apr 6, 2017

Slaven said:
#2.

Have you consider making it black&white with really red blood and maybe redish sun?

Thanks Slaven. I've shifted gears from the blood because a lot of people thought the guy in bed was dead and the book was a murder mystery (it's a thriller). I thought of the reddish sun but with "bloody" in the title I don't think I need to emphasize blood at all and I like the contrast between the yellow and black. Appreciate it.

Gregg Bell · Apr 6, 2017

Two new versions. Thanks!

#1

#2

Cindyt · Apr 6, 2017

Gregg Bell said:
Two new versions. Thanks!

#1

#2

Neither nor.

I like the black and white with red blood spilling around the body that someone suggested.

Gregg Bell · Apr 7, 2017

Cindyt said:
Neither nor.

I like the black and white with red blood spilling around the body that someone suggested.

Thanks Cindy.

- - - Updated - - -

The latest. Thanks.

davidjgalloway · Apr 8, 2017

Just separate from the cover, a comment on the wording--I think it would be improved if you struck "when" from the tagline. Going through all these, I liked the dude in bed as an image, whereas this still feels like there should be something between "sunrise" and your name. What about a horizon? (Since this feels like high noon). A muted silhouette of a horizon? Something to use that empty space effectively, but not too much. Even a black and white horizon with a few shapes--either urban, or seaside, or something that fits the book--might be effective. My 2c.

Gregg Bell · Apr 8, 2017

davidjgalloway said:
Just separate from the cover, a comment on the wording--I think it would be improved if you struck "when" from the tagline. Going through all these, I liked the dude in bed as an image, whereas this still feels like there should be something between "sunrise" and your name. What about a horizon? (Since this feels like high noon). A muted silhouette of a horizon? Something to use that empty space effectively, but not too much. Even a black and white horizon with a few shapes--either urban, or seaside, or something that fits the book--might be effective. My 2c.

Thanks for the suggestions, David. I guess I'm just a minimalist. I'm hoping the sun beams coming down will be enough to fill that space between the title and my name. Appreciate the feedback.

Staugaard · Apr 8, 2017

Just a quick comment - #1 above captures my attention better, because it puts the face right in the spot where I naturally look first. For that reason alone, I like #1 better than #2 (now I actually see the face before I read the title, which is a spooky and awesome effect). However, as Cindyt said, the body in the bed was also very effective.

Slaven · Apr 8, 2017

Gregg Bell said:
Thanks Slaven. I've shifted gears from the blood because a lot of people thought the guy in bed was dead and the book was a murder mystery (it's a thriller). I thought of the reddish sun but with "bloody" in the title I don't think I need to emphasize blood at all and I like the contrast between the yellow and black. Appreciate it.

I can't see yellow as murder/mistery color, but you should follow your vision not mine

mrsmig · Apr 8, 2017

Late to the game, and I'm certainly no expert, but I think Cover #2 (with blood and the bolder font for your name) is more grabby. My only issue is that the blood spatter itself doesn't seem to have any logical pattern, especially the three stripes of blood on the man's shoulder (which looked like claw marks).

Gregg Bell · Apr 11, 2017

Staugaard said:
Just a quick comment - #1 above captures my attention better, because it puts the face right in the spot where I naturally look first. For that reason alone, I like #1 better than #2 (now I actually see the face before I read the title, which is a spooky and awesome effect). However, as Cindyt said, the body in the bed was also very effective.

Thanks Staugaard. I'm going with the one in #31. I, like you, too, like the one with the face in the middle but I think the symmetry is better in #31. Appreciate your help.

Gregg Bell · Apr 11, 2017

Slaven said:
I can't see yellow as murder/mistery color, but you should follow your vision not mine

You're right, Slaven. I never really thought of that. I guess I'll have to rely on the title and screaming face.

Gregg Bell · Apr 11, 2017

mrsmig said:
Late to the game, and I'm certainly no expert, but I think Cover #2 (with blood and the bolder font for your name) is more grabby. My only issue is that the blood spatter itself doesn't seem to have any logical pattern, especially the three stripes of blood on the man's shoulder (which looked like claw marks).

Thanks mrsmig. Yeah, that blood is a mess. That would've needed major work. The claw marks too.

Suspense thriller cover feedback? Got what I needed--thanks!!

Slaven

Wetting my feet get

Gregg Bell

Gregg Bell

Gregg Bell

Cindyt

Gettin wiggy wit it

Gregg Bell

davidjgalloway

Opus is my guy.

Gregg Bell

Staugaard

Slaven

Wetting my feet get

mrsmig

Write. Write. Writey Write Write.

Gregg Bell

Gregg Bell

Gregg Bell