Subliminal Messaging

You have to look long and hard (subliminal pun) to find the "sex" messages supposedly written into those products. Besides, those examples are not really subliminal, wouldnt those be hidden images or messages? They certainly dont get me to act impulsively to buy their product. I do have to say though, bread looks like it's got something to be proud of.

One of my favorite "sports journalism" sites has a regular feature on people drawing what looks like genitalia on telestrators. It's not so much about design, but more about how giggly and childish and silly people get when sex and genitalia are portrayed in even the slightest of ways.

http://deadspin.com/search/

RE: Are Designers Over-designing?

I think the answer to your question is yes...to both. This is the crux of what makes a true brand winner – a marketing plan that can not only entice new audiences to inquire within but also a solid product to hold up their end of the deal. The only reason that these books may not have had "pretty" covers back in the day, is because that's what was expected. And in today's age of visual aesthetics in all we do, it's imperative that the book industry keep up. Emily Keller sounds more like a literature snob who can't embrace the new world we live in. And who knows, maybe she can bring back the style of no style at all. Because the truth of the matter is that even when no decision has been made about the design, then really a decision WAS made – some of us choose to not choose and that's a style all its own.

RE: Are Designers Over Designing?

Are designers over designing? A question that I think will forever be in rotation, especially with todays ongoing evolution with graphic design.

Like a few of you have stated, when it comes to book covers it's not only up to the designer, but the other people that work in conjunction with the production of a book and its cover. The design, most of the time, is not 100% appreciated by the designer yet requested by its author. So, with that being said it raises other questions... Is the author over designing? Is there too much input over the designer? Should the designer be able choose his/her design over the author if it is a better representation of the copy?

I honestly just feel that this question raises other questions and it depends on the viewer if it seems over designed. The way any design is viewed by the viewer can not be 100% predicted, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

RE: Are Designers Over-designing?

Without having any prior knowledge of an author or the book itself, the cover is the first thing we notice. I know that I am a lot more likely to purchase a book with an interesting cover design, over one with just a plain, solid color, for example. That being said, I think most people who spend a lot of their time reading tend not to be as concerned with what the book looks like and are more concerned with its content. I can imagine that working as a designer for an author or publishing company would be quite challenging. The designer needs to ultimately satisfy his or her client's vision and may be pushed into a direction that they wouldn't have decided on themselves. This is often the case in many designer/client relationships though, isn't it?

Subliminal Messages: Fact or Fiction

Based on my own personal experiences and prejudices, here's my list of hogwashes:

1. Chiropractic medicine
2. Hypnosis
3. Focus groups
4. Trickle-down economics
5. Baby Einstein
6. Subliminal messages

...I left out a few that might offend people.

RE: Are Designers Over-designing?

I think this is a good topic and a valid question, particularly as pertaining to book jacket design. But I think it's not really a question of "right or wrong" for the designer, per se. Book publishers exist to move product and make money. The marketplace is ultimately going to determine the viability of what design approach works. The publishing industry is facing extremely challenging times, and is being forced to consider completely different approaches to design, marketing, media, advertising, supply... virtually every aspect of its business.

I think the designer needs to remember that it's usually the publisher, not the author, who is his or her client. Whatever input the author has will most likely be through the conduit of the publisher, and how they think it can be most effectively marketed. I'm not saying that you don't read the materials or do your research, and of course the design should be conceptually strong and well-executed. But if you've achieved those goals and gotten an approval from the publishing house your job is done.

RE: Are Designers Over-designing?

While good design always has a place in the market, I am disturbed by the excessive use of design to sell multiples of the same basic item. For example - Kleenex boxes. I understand the custom look of the products makes it easier to disambiguate from the competition, but for the consumer, wouldn't this just look like a silly reason to mark up the price of a necessity?

Now, according to this article, you can even design your own Kleenex box online. They suggest creating it as a gift, or making your own decorative items out of it. Now I don't know about you, but when it comes to Kleenex, the first word to come to my mind is "disposable." If you want to hide your tissues, leave them in the pantry, or the bathroom. But paying $6 + shipping + the possibility of creating work for their company for free, putting a fellow designer out of work and/or lowering the salary rate for designers in that company just seems ridiculous.

Yes, customized design is a nice thing to have access to, but putting design into the hands of the untrained and telling them they have the ability, given the appropriate software, to be the same as any professionally trained designer... well, it just seems to undermine everything I've learned in this program so far.

P.S. If I wanted to customize my tissue box, I'd just print out on label stock, or on regular paper, and tape it on.