RE: Are designers over designing?

The truth of the matter is designers are over designing  - sometimes with a purpose and at other times with no purpose at all. And yes, most of this overdesigning does tend to lead me to judge a book by its cover (no pun intended).

Book Covers...in particular

A few of you have brought up the topic of book covers. I’d have to say I am enjoying book covers these days and the redesign of them. Honestly, a few are over done but a few of them are great.  

I believe that book covers have been designed for their time. With that being said, books today are being designed or overdesigned because design is more prevalent as well as to keep up with today’s market, the age of technology, etc. Last fall my typography class was tasked with redesigning a series of book covers, which I think were great - you can view a few of those here. 

Jessica Hische an illustrator, letterer, and designer designed the book covers below - which I love. There’s something about small little details in the design of these book covers that I enjoy. The covers are simple but with a fine detail and worldly and seem to breath new life into the books. While I may be judging these books by their cover, I also am aware that they are indeed good books.

via: Barnes & Noble 

Leatherbound Classics, designed by Jessica Hische

 I think that most people will judge a book by its cover because it’s the first thing one see’s when picking up a book. However, it’s up to the person purchasing the book to take the initiative to look beyond a books cover for its content. How the two relate (and they should), well that’s up to the designer and the publisher.

Products Overall

I think a number of products have been or are being OVER designed. But at the same time I believe this surge of over designing has to do with marketing and competition. Jill posted about Kleenex tissue band and how they’ve redesigned their tissue box covers. I honestly have to say I pretty much upchucked when I saw the redesign of this product on the shelf. I stood in amazement. I couldn’t believe it. My first thought, “Are you serious”? My second thought, “Why. I really just want to purchase a box of Kleenex…a simple box.” I’m all for reshaping the box but the excessive designs are a bit much (in my opinion)!

In designing products I think designers should be conscious of how a design will hold up over time. Or possibly how one designs a design for the current taking into consideration of a products future. Almost like when planning for facilities, one must plan for current trends and needs but also consider what future needs will be. Eh, maybe that’s a little weird…but it’s a thought.

And to the notion of overdesigning to make a brand a winner – I don’t buy it. I believe there are good brands and long standing brands that have been winners with simplified designs.