COVER ROULETTE

Here it is, our first challenge! This is mainly to illustrate what we want to do with this book and to show what a possible challenge may look like. Each of us joined in and we became competitors for the first time. This proved to be fun and a different way of working on designs. Most of all, it was stressful.

THE CHALLENGE

The idea behind this challenge came from Moira, who explained it as designing a cover as a group. This meant that we all worked on the covers, with 15 minutes of time per round. After a round we were given a different cover to work on. In total, we designed three covers. We were allowed to all start on a cover the way we wanted to. The next person had to decide in which direction they wanted to go with the cover somebody else designed.

To keep it from getting too chaotic, we decided to add some simple rules. In the first round, we all had to gather the pictures and vectors we wanted to use. After that round, we got to add text to our next covers. And in the last round we added effects to create a finished product.

THE RESULTS

We all approached the first round differently. These are the results of that round.

From left to right: Moira, May, Miles

As you can see, the results varied. A vector cover about a sea and sailors, from which you could build an inspiring sailor story or a horror story about haunted ships (see the end of this chapter for a surprise!)

Then it was time to get on with the roulette. We received the covers we were to work on next, and started working on some text and minor effects.

From left to right: May, Miles, Moira

Working on a cover that wasn't our own, it was something else. Having to think what direction you want to take it in, and interpreting what somebody else saw in the cover, it wasn't easy. But we all added our own touches and the covers went in different directions once more.

But the last round let its roar out. We had to commit to it. The effects.

From left to right: Miles, Moira, May

And let me tell you, we went hard on those effects. Having 15 minutes and a feeling that we should add something to these covers we got, it meant that these covers were covered in all kinds of effects. Still, we were all happy with the results.

What do you think, did we go too hard on those effects?

A VISION

But Moira still had a design itch, so she went ahead and finished the cover she started work on in the first round. And it turned out completely different, which is an understatement. I believe she has some mental issues that should be taken care of.