Looking for feedback on workbook cover

[afrankmore]

I am about wrapping up my first workbook and I am designing my cover workbook cover. Would love feedback that can poke holes around my design concept so I can improve.

 

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[Tom H.]

The text is just floating on top of the image and is not super easy to read. I'd frame the text, maybe use a black rectangle and then apply transparency until it looks good with the photo.

 

[Tom H.]

I'd also use more of a margin, i.e. the author name is all the way to the edge is the image, it should have more space between the text and the edge.

You use the word "personal" twice in the subheading, it is a little awkward.

Maybe: "A personal development program for growth and stability".

I'm not stoked on the font or the image, but to avoid sending you all the way back to square one, I'll just suggest that the display font should only be used for the main titles, it's to difficult to read for the longer subtitle. Maybe find a complementary font to use for the non title text.

The brush strokes quality makes me think of Zen Mind, Beginners Mind and The Artists Way, though neither of those actually use that kind of font on the cover.

Did you have any references when designing?

 

[afrankmore]

I'd also use more of a margin, i.e. the author name is all the way to the edge is the image, it should have more space between the text and the edge.

You use the word "personal" twice in the subheading, it is a little awkward.

Maybe: "A personal development program for growth and stability".

I'm not stoked on the font or the image, but to avoid sending you all the way back to square one, I'll just suggest that the display font should only be used for the main titles, it's to difficult to read for the longer subtitle. Maybe find a complementary font to use for the non title text.

Thank you, I do appreciate the feedback and your suggestions wouldn't set me back very far at all. It something I work on between writing content to break up my work flow a bit. I will look at fonts that complement each other, look at doing a boarder for the heading and text. Realign my bottom text from the edge and I will play around with the image.. I am trying to figure out a general image of starting over in life, that is what popped out to me. But this isn't for me, its for the general public so I am trying to understand a better photo that will trigger that type of psychology rather than what I like. Any suggestions towards that would be welcomed as well. I appreciate your feedback and willingness to guide this topic. Thank you

 

[Tom H.]

Images...

A seed sprouting? Could be an illustration or macro photography. Light breaking through clouds (ugh)

Probably something simpler to look at and without a real person.

Are you familiar with how romantic comedies all have the same basic movie poster, and buddy comedies and other types of movies? Maybe apply the same idea here, see if you can find patterns similar books, how they use layout, typography and imagery.

 

[afrankmore]

I am about wrapping up my first workbook and I am designing my cover workbook cover. Would love feedback that can poke holes around my design concept so I can improve.

Update: I spent some time reviewing suggestions from both the forum and my FB world. I have created 2 additional examples of a front cover. So far, the majority has liked Design #3. I left design 4 open for suggestions.

 

[Tom H.]

Looks better. Design #3 looks good, but kind of flimsy. I like the strong feel of the black. Either way, seems like you're on track. The layout of #3 is probably the best.

 

[afrankmore]

Looks better. Design #3 looks good, but kind of flimsy. I like the strong feel of the black. Either way, seems like you're on track. The layout of #3 is probably the best.

Thank you for the feedback.. I feel that to make it strong, I can darken the picture a bit and work on the right blend of the picture and context. I can feel what you mean about the strong feel of the black as well.