*UPDATE*: I have removed the pics since my publisher has taken all the feedback. Thank you for your votes. Got more than I bargained for in some cases, nevertheless, modifications are being made. Will let you know more when I can. Thanks.
My publisher and I need your input. Tell me which cover for Eat, Drink and Be Vegan you like best.
These are completely different covers. I'm not going to say much about either at this point, because I don't want to influence your vote.
Just tell me what you like, and why... or what you don't like, and why?
If you're in a bookstore, which one would you reach for?
If you knew nothing about me or E,D&BV, which cover would get your attention?
Click to enlarge to get a better picture if needed.
101 comments:
Wow, I'm first to comment, again! I really like cover #1. Its simplicity is very elegant. I do like the cover with you and the food pics but...just not as well. Aimee
I like cover #1. It's very different from your previous book covers and looks quite sophisticated.
As a designer, I am often horrified by most cook book covers which always seem to be a hodge podge of pictures. I like the first cover. It doesn't suffer from the aforementioned conglomeration issues and is beautiful in its simplicity... I'm also partial to brown.
i too am down with the first cover...i like the colors and the simplicity of it...i like it better when pictures of the food are inside the book...i've seen old cookbooks with food pic's on the cover and they look so outdated. i would grab both books but the first book i would look at first. hope this helps!
JENNA
Cover #1 gets my vote. It's simple & modern...would probably appeal more to a wider demographic (young & older alike), where #2 might seem more "old-fashioned" to some.
I love the first cover even though you look great on cover #2. I like cover #1 because it looks fresh and clean. The colours are also very nice together.
I too like cover #1 but I wonder whether the ones with photos on the cover are better for sales. i guess your publisher has info about that... i just find so many cookbooks have photos on the front and I am guessing there is a reason for that. Both look good, but the first one is very eye-catching.
Btw, I just had rice pasta with your chickpea pasta sauce for dinner... yum!
Number 1, 100%, without a doubt--it is modern and clean. I would be drawn to it immediately, and would almost certainly end up buying it if the recipes looked even remotely interesting. I probably wouldn't look inside book #2; it just seems more old-fashioned, which would make me think that it contained old-fashioned recipes (whatever that means!).
The first one, although it needs a bit more contrast between the type & the background (that could just be my monitor, though). The second looks waaaaaay 70's.
I like the first one, but I echo what Erica said - there's not enough contrast - I have a hard time reading the text.
I like number 1.
You're not kidding-- they really are opposites! It seems I'm in the minority but I prefer cover 2. It seems more celebratory, whereas the first cover is too plain for my taste. The first cover seems cold, for a lack of a better word, and the second cover seems friendly and welcoming. Plus you look so pretty!
Cover 1, without a doubt. It's fresher and more modern.
I agree with Hyphen Helena - the second one is much more inviting and yummy looking. It wins hands down for me. Most of all, the first one just looks like a textbook! People pick up cookbooks often based on the first glance at the cover - does it look like good food? The second one may seem cheesy to some folks, but it fits the title - people look like they are having fun eating your food!
I like the second one much, much better. The first one reminds me too much of a bible.
I really like the first one. It is cleaner and simple.
I like #2. I would most likely be attracted to this one because of the yummy food and the healthy cook on the front. In the end I do make my final choice by what is on the inside. I love pictures of the food prepared on the inside. It gives you a vision of what you can expect.
#2 looks trendy to me, which does grow on you after awhile so no matter which cover you choose, I am all about the yummies inside. :o)
Wow Dreena!
I like cover number 1 the best. Of course, the main reason is because it's brown, and well, brown's my favorite color. I think it is very clean, elegant, simple and still attractive. I also like it because it is simpler than your other two covers.
I do like the personal feel of the second cover (even though I still vote number 1). I like that there is a photo of you and samples of the food on it, but at the same time it looks more like an entertaining book, even though you say everday recipes. I think this cover is a bit too busy and may deter readers and or have it blend in with all the other books/colors going on.
Totally the first one Dreena! Can't wait too!
Cover #1, although I personally would choose a brighter/more fun color. The title is so celebratory that a brown cover seems like an odd choice. That, and like others I would recommend more contrast between the words and background color. Cool font!
I vote for #2. As others said it's more inviting. While my sometimes foodie nature likes the sleekness of the first image, the second one says "Hello! Look at all this gorgeous food I've made for you! And you can make it too." The smile is warm, the food platter looks welcoming, enticing you inside the pages to see what else might be in there.
The first one says martinis and dinner parties with too many forks to me. (Again, my foodie sensibilities.)
I think the second one would appeal to a larger audience.
I like the first one. It looks more appealing to me, the red is gorgeous and warm and makes me want to pick it up. It looks more stylish too, kind of like it attracts the eye better.
I'm not trying to be ugly, but the second one looks a little dated, imo. It's not you or what you look like, it's just the way the photos are put together and the font and everything. The first one looks more modern, hip, trendy.
Whoops--I thought the cover on #1 was red..I guess it is brown. Either way, it looks good! The brown reminds me of chocolate and is still a warm and beautiful color. :D
I am not sure if I can add anything new to what has already been said, but I wanted to cast my vote for #1. Mostly because I think it would be the one I would be more likely to pick up and look through in a store.
so much for not judging a book by its cover, eh?
:D
another vote for 1
Both covers have their pros and cons, but I prefer the second one. I'm a visual person, pictures catch my eye. Maybe it's the muted tones of the first cover, but it doesn't strike me as an exciting cookbook. It's a cover I would expect on a collection of poetry (even though my own poetry magazines have, of late, been bright and visual. go figure.)
I'm a digital artist, so I have a little knowledge in this area. I prefer the first cover. Although you look adorable on the second cover, the first is more professional looking and one I would definitely be drawn to. The subheading is a tad hard to read, but I like the color palette and the simplicity of the composition.
I like #1. I really like the simplicity of the cover and the colors. It makes me want to buy it.
Whoops! Didn't finish my earlier comment.
I was going to add to what others have said about the second one looking "dated" which I think is due to the font, the rounded edges of the photos, and even the coloring in the photos themselves. At first glance, I would be surprised to see that was a currently published book. Sorry to get all "art-school critique-y."
Can't wait to buy it!
I like number 1 the best -- it is modern and sleek.
I like #2. I would be much more drawn to it if it was in a bookstore.
I vote for cover #1. To me it's very earthy, which I think fits perfectly with veganism. Its cute and simple at the same time. I agree with someone else who said #2 just looks a little less professional (although you do look great in the photo). I personally like the food pictures on the inside.
Good Luck!
-Teresa
I vote for #1, it drew me in more.
I like cover #1. Actually, I would think there were more recipes in the book with cover #1 than cover #2. Cover #2 indicates it has more fluff, less stuff. Nice pictures, though.
I like both. However, I prefer number 2. I think having pictures of the food makes it more inviting (I always prefer cookbooks with pictures). Can't wait for it too come out!!!!
Cover #1 would get my attention- Very Stylish!
I like the second cover best. It seems more personable and has yummy looking food to help sell the book! But the first cover might appeal to people who are just looking for a cookbook and happen to choose an awesome vegan cookbook.
number ONE. no fight!
i prefer #1 -- it's more hip, stylish, yet classic.
love your cookbooks!
Fascinating. I'm in the minority. I instantly picked #2 when I saw it in the RSS feed. The brown is sooo drab!
I like cover #1 best, it's elegant. The 2nd choice (cover #2) isn't all that flattering, it reminds me of something from the 70's.
Definitely #1. It's simple and elegant. The other one reminds me too much of the 70ies and looks a bit outdated.
I like cover #1, although maybe with another colour. But I'm going to buy it anyway! :)
definitely #1! It's clean, simple, very graphically appealing. (other colors would be fine too - it's the combination of typeface and white space that I like). #2 has a lovely picture of you, but I agree with others who said it looks kind of dated. I work in a library and it looks like a lot of the 70's cookbooks that we've been weeding.
#1
I cant wait for the book to come out!
definately number 1. i like simple, streamlined things. and especially if this book will have food pictures inside, it's not really necessary to have some on the cover :)
#1.
no contest. it's relatively simple, modern, and elegant.
brown's not my favourite colour, especially not in association with food, but it still wins -- maybe partly because in #2... sorry, but to me you look a little crazed. pretty, like people have said, but a bit perennially-cheerful-hostess-bot. a bit too keen to invite people in and have them enjoy the food. that combined with the dated aesthetic conspires to make it a bit scary-retro rather than cool-retro, if that makes sense?
but it doesn't seem to be frtightening anyone else, so maybe it's just me.
I love cover #1. It looks very modern and understated. Cover #2 looks rather busy and reminds me of my mum's cookbooks from the 70s (which look really dated now).
Either cover, I'm still buying it!
Love your cookbooks, but.
What have you done to your publisher to make them hate you?
Both of these covers feel like they've been thrown together from generic templates rather than actually designed.
I usually like cookbooks with pictures of the food, but only if the photography's done well. The biggest difference between the ghastly photo-plates in tacky old 70s cookbooks and the appetising illustrations in many modern books (aside from the colour reproduction) is the lighting. Food needs to be very carefully lit or it starts to take on an undertone of abjection. The food-photos in #2 are not great. And the atmosphere main photo is, well, a bit weird. A bit Stepford. Throw in the drab and dated tick-a-box template feel, and the whole thing looks amateurish and not very appetising.
#1 is better, but is still quite drab and generic. The cute little outlines thing has been done to death. And brown? Why?
Sorry, but you did ask, and I wouldn't buy either of these books. And that's knowing that your other books have had good recipes. If I'd never heard of you, I'd probably not even pick them up to flick through, just shudder dismissively and move on.
Ha! I love Judy's comment (cover #1 looks like a Bible). But I still like cover #1.
Definitely #1. #2 looks outdated.
Cover #2 has a very nice photo of you, but Cover #1 looks very stylish- I vote for #1!
Without readind the other comments, I like cover #1. It is simple and elegant and the kind of cookbook you can keep on your coffee table. I think it goes along well with the title.
well mabe im different, but i do love cover # 2
more inviting.
I really like cover # 2. I think it's fresher and more modern-looking, and grabs your attention more.
I like the second one-- it's a cookbook, show some foodpr0n!
#1 - by far. It feels much more modern...which would make me feel like the recipes inside are modern too.
That said...you do look gorgeous in the 2nd one...so use that picture on the back!!!
I like #1 the best, it seems so fresh and modern. Could you put some of the food pictures on the back? I do like to see food pictures on the cover, but they don't always have to be on the front. I find that those pictures (or the ones on the inside front cover/pages) are the ones I look for first when giving the cookbook a thumb-through.
Definitely the first cover. I appreciate the minimalist style and I think it would have more mass market appeal.
My first thought was that I don't particularly like either one (sorry!). I like font of the first one. I like the food photos of the second one - they make me want to open the book and look at the recipes. It looks more celebratory to me as well.
I choose Cover 2, but change the title font.
Whichever cover you choose, I am really, really looking forward to this book!
I like the one w/o the pictures, #1. There is a simple elegance to it. Save the photos for the inside.
#1 is much more sophisticated and modern. #2 looks like something Rachel Ray would use. Definitely #1
I like the #1 cover design but I am not too crazy about the colour. The brown cover coveys vegan food must be full of brown shades not unlike 1970s vegetarian food. Although the #2 cover is light and bright it does have an amateur feel to it as if the book is self-published.
Cover number one -- definitely. It looks far more professional than cover number two. I like the sleek and modern look. And the carrot with the silverware is a nice touch.
Hi Dreena - definately the elegance of no.1! --Maureen--
I think that overall, cover #1 is the best choice because, as others have said, it has a modern, sophisticated, sleek look to it. However, I like the pictures on cover #2; maybe you could incorporate the "modern-feel" and the photos onto one cover? It's a tough decision, but I'm sure you'll make the best one - I am BEYOND excited for the book to come out!!
***On a side note, I have a cooking question - what is the best way to cook/prepare the Lightlife tempeh fakin' bacon? I recently purchased a package, and I want to make sure it turns out right when I make it.
definitely the first one! it's more hip
Cover 1... simple, elegant and nice color combination.
I agree that the second cover seems a little 70’s, but I still much prefer it to the first. It seems a lot more personal to me. I will be buying the book no matter what cover it has though!
If you have to choose one or the other, the first one.
I would suggest, though, that they choose a different background color. The design itself is good, but there is not enough contrast in values between the words and the brown cover to make it really pop.
The second one has a lot of potential, but the title should be done in a different font than the rest of the type, and it should stand out. Right now, it's just sort of "blah." The pictures are good, but the crop on the upper shot seems rather willy-nilly, rather than being cropped in an interesting and purposeful way. The background either needs far more texture or far less—those little wisps of blue aren't doing anything, and if they're there they should be there with a purpose. A solid color would look much better there if the pattern isn't being put to good use.
I, personally, like the second cover...
Like others here have said I too love the first cover. But I think the font needs either better contrast or for the thinner words to be thicker. Also I don't love the brown, it seems sort of somber.
I do think there needs to be food somewhere on the cover, because otherwise to me it doesn't look like a cookbook. You could put a line of small thumbnails somewhere on the front or a few vibrant photos on the back, but there should be food somewhere and it should be clear that it is a recipe book not so much a lifestyle book.
I just had to skip over 71 comments (WOW!) so other peoples' opinions wouldn't influence my own... but I'm still having a hard time choosing. I like the first cover, because of the vintage 70's-looking simplicity and cool type font. But the second one would probably be more immediately appealing in a bookstore situation- I think pictures of people (you look so radiant!) and food are a sure thing. So I'll go for number 2, when thinking of the book in its natural context, in a bookstore or library or website. Yup, #2 it is.
Congrats!
Cover #1 definitely!!! I would buy it but i would NOT buy cover #2 because it looks outdated - something from the eighties published at the time when "joy of cooking" and tupperware parties were all the rage.
Best of luck with the book.
I would pick #1. I agree with the other comments that #2 has a "dated" look to it. I would definitely pick up #1 off the shelf.
Although you are gorgeous, I agree that cover #2 looks really...dated. Very eighties, sadly, mainly because of the picture color and arrangement. Go with #1!
I like the first one. It's simple and honestly, i'd open a book with that cover before I would a book with the second one.
well-I guess I am going against the flow, but I like #2 - although they both have a sort 70's feel to them - not sure why - the colors? I see why people prefer #1 - but something about the font reminds me that volkswagon repair manual of yore. Maybe I am the only one who actually remembers it & since the 70s are hip again....
I like the design of #1 a lot better, but I'd be more likely to reach for cover #2 -- I think it has to do with the brown color. If it were a different color (maybe very pale blue?) I'd say #1.
If I HAD to pick one, I'd go with #2, but I really don't like either. #1 looks like a textbook or some kind of introduction to veganism book, not a cookbook. #2 looks like it's from the 70's, but if I saw it in the store, I'd pick it up before #1, but only because of your name.
I would definitely choose the first cover as an eye catcher in a store. It's beautiful and clean-looking. I do also like the photos of food on cover 2, though. :)
I vote for #1. I prefer the colors. I think it's the rounded edges on the photos on the 2nd one that don't appeal me--they remind me of those recipe cards from the '70s. (But I'll be buying your cookbook regardless of the cover you choose.)
I like cover #1 - it's elegant and kind of mysterious. It makes me want to pick it up and find out what's inside.bu
Um, I'm not really impressed with either. #1 makes me think of the Church Lady fundraiser cookbooks from the 70's in my mom's cupboard. (a cookbook where lots of people submit their favorite recipe and then they sell it for a fundraiser)
#2 seems outdated by about 10 years
Number two for me! Although I may be biased...
;)
i just came across your site and am very happy about it. i would reach for book cover #1 at a bookstore. i love it. it is simple, yet good colors with a trendy font. #2 has great pics, but i'd rather see those inside the book. i have worked at a bookstore for 4 years and i think a display with #1 would be more eye appealing because its not too busy.
im so sorry cause you are beautiful, but i think the turtleneck makes the book look like its from the 70's. i would put it back and look for a more modern cover like the first one. sorry!
altho i do love the colors and font of #1... and brent says #1 is his favorite.
sounds like the first one is the winner thus far, hey?
I like #1, even though you are beautiful!
#1.
#2 looks very dated. It looks like a million other cookbooks that are unsold on the shelves.
#1 by a long shot. It's elegant and uncluttered.
Hi Dreena! Cover #1 looks best...its simple (in a totally good way)and modern looking, and I love the colour scheme...#2 looks a bit dated (maybe its the title font?)although I would of course read it with either cover :) Good luck deciding!
I like the first one better. The second is okay, but is a bit too busy, and too reminiscent of Marilu's cookbook. The first one is great. Good luck.
I also like the first cover. It is elegant and won't look dated in a few years.
Yet another vote for #1, though they're both great!
First off, I have never been to this site before, I haven't even looked around. I have a completely unbiased opinion, and I have to say that I LOVE the design of cover 1. Absolutely love it! BUT, it doesn't get my vote. It doesn't even look like a cookbook. It looks like a "this is why you should be vegan" books. I love buying new cookbooks, and I have to say, that I would pick up the first one hands down. You don't need to flip through it to see the food looks amazing, as with the first one, you would HAVE to. Coming from a 21 year old vegan consumer, you should go with the "hodgepodge of pictures" from the "70's". It will grab more attention than a brown book, on a more than likely wooden shelf in a possibly very dim room, even if it is more sophisticated.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!
I strongly vote for number 1...on design aesthetic alone. I agree that the text needs a slight amount of contrast to pop out at you.
I must say, however, from a sales stand point...photographs are usually a more enticing route. People want to have a connection with the book they are reading. I find this to be even more the case with vegan related literature and cook books.
How about a compromise with a photograph on the back?
as a designer i pick #1.
vanessa
I like #1. it's modern and fun! and I love the utensil thing :) Maybe just a bit more contrast in the lettering vs. the cover, although I'd pick it up and buy it AS IS. :)
congrats!
Hi Veggiegirl, about the fakin' bacon - I cook it on high heat in a skillet, for a few minutes on each side until a little browned. I use a non-stick skillet and just a smidgen of oil, and wipe that around the pan. It's really easy to cook, and I find cooking it at a higher heat for a few minutes on each side, makes it a little crispy and golden, but not dried out. Good luck - hope you like it.
Where are the covers?
Hi Liliy - I removed the covers since my publisher reviewed the feedback and we are now making changes. I'll post our official cover when it's ready!
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