HIRE A DESIGNER
On Facebook from my friend and fellow book designer Charles Brock was this statement, "Its a sad day when the author of one of the best selling books of all time feels the need to have a cover design contest for his next book."
That is right, for whatever reason people feel the need to have design contests for professional work. And now unfortunately it has crept into the book industry.
This contest which is being sponsored by the author Rick Warren, the publishing company Zondervan, and/or another marketing team is giving away $5000 (up from $3000) for the design for the cover of The Hope You Need. Just recently the site added a few specs, oh and now some strict guidelines. Even with the high prize money it is still better to hire a professional designer and give him/her $3000 and get a book cover that will look professional rather than having people design in Microsoft Word. What a waste of money! Why not use the extra money to fight poverty Mr. Warren, isn't that what this book is about?
These concepts are why you hire a designer and pay him/her what its worth to create a well designed cover that will work for the market its being sold to. Contests reap a lot of junk. 
UPDATED: My Favorite
And finally #551 which was removed.
See the rest here.
ZONDERVAN / RICK WARREN HIRE A DESIGNER and quit using lame contests which only devalue designers and produce a lower quality of work.
Posts
oh boy. tragic.
ReplyDeleteyou need to post the cat option. classic. #477
ReplyDeleteI agree. This is sad, tragic, pointless. I can see the very real possibility that they'll have to hire a designer in the end. On the upside, perusing the entries is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteWhoever designed the header for the contest should design the book cover too.
I think my eyes are bleeding. Also, my creative soul just died a little.
ReplyDeleteLadies and gentlemen of the publishing design world. I now announce that ALL design budgets set forth and heretowit shall now be in the sum of $5,000. Thanks to the publisher who set this new precedent!
ReplyDeleteSince Rick's book, “The Purpose Driven Life” has sold 25 million copies he can afford to pay $10,000 for a cover.;) But seriously, his first book with a cover designed by a professional helped in part to sell his book. I wonder why he doesn't see the connection?
ReplyDeleteThe pub's payin' up. Not Rick. Of course I'm sure the coffers are full from the record sales amount. So I guess they can afford to pay 5K a cover from now on.
ReplyDeleteSpec watch has a pretty eye-opening looks into "99Designs" Seems ripe with some Tom Foolery...
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/specwatch
Well said AIGA. This is their view.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/position-spec-work