Cover design: You can’t take it with you

You might be wondering what sort of design have I been doing. Well, it wasn't entirely exciting, since I worked in publishing that specialise in academic text books and trades. But as a designer, you really need to take the opportunity to always have fun. Otherwise, everything is going to be dull and boring. Playing around is what we do as designer to keep our creative minds alive :P

Let me show you one of my favourite cover that I worked on. Although, in the end, it wasn’t quite the perfect cover I wanted to be. But hell yeah, I had fun and that’s what important: The process.

You can’t take it with you is a trade book about managing your wealth before you go to the better place. It provides advices on how to make a good will and etc. Above is my first concept. I like it how surreal it looks like. Everyone at the studio had a chuckled about this cover. The concept is about heaven and earth. The man with white suits, which reminds me of Morgan Freeman at Bruce Almighty movie. He is either being happy for what he have done or was looking back his life with regrets. I guess, you need to read the book if you wanted to be happy and RIP.

After reassessing the cover, I decided not to send through the first idea. So came up with the second one. This is relates about travelling. Mind you, this book is only for Australian market thus there’s some Australian icons incorporated in the cover. I thought this was pretty darn good and would hit the jackpot! But sadly, turned down by the publishing editor. They completely dislike the travel angle since it could be misleading as a travelling book. They got their points.

So back reworking the cover again. Received their suggestions, this is pretty much what they said “try to make it more simple like just pen and paper. Or look death in more metaphorical sense, perhaps a road leading into a white light”. Oh, how hard could it be (yes, it’s very common to receive a contradict comment. At this stage, they are desperate to get the right cover. They pretty much don’t know what they want). Luckily, I still had my patience and I was actually getting more excited. Hmm… a road leading into a white light… Aha! This is what I came up.

Remind you of something? It’s from Mr. Bean opening title. I really like it a lot, it’s brillant! Stronger than the original concept. I came up with more ideas, but they weren’t great. It was just showing what they’ve asked for.

But it wasn’t there yet. So I went to do more traditional approach, searching for stock photos. Then this came along. For the last draft, I only sent this one cover and they LOVE it! Even the author was so pleased. It wasn't the most exciting cover but it's an appropriate cover for what it meant for.

The rationale: Letting go ballons is certainly becoming a more common ritual at funerals. And there are plenty of other ties such as 'letting go'. It’s probably more common at younger people's funerals, but we are banking on the fact that most people don't think of themselves as old or near to dying. And a prime market for this book is definitely the 30s and 40s with young kids. Since Many of these parents probably haven't already done a will. (I am on mid 20's and I’ve already got my will and my self insured. Although, I just wish I had my income protection insurance as well, sigh…).

ps: this post had been on a draft for ages, since 10/02/09. I just haven't got the time to post the images yet. And, just incase it might cost me loosing my job :P But you know what?! I already HAVE!

So what do you think? Tell me your opinions? Should I put the whole process into my portfolio?

Be merry!

Something that I did last year for Wiley Christmas card. The birds are my regular visitors at my backyards. They're the one who cheer me up everyday at home (wake me up in the morning to be exact!!)

I'll be having family Christmas dinner!!! YAY food… food… food… I'll be in charge with salads ;) my expertise hehehe…

Hope everyone have the loveliest Christmas and holidays.

I'd like to get away from earth awhile and then come back to it and begin over

photo, originally uploaded by the cheshire smile.

I wish to understand God’s plan. I am wishing that all of this happened has a purpose. Good and bad is hard to judge depends on the way you see it. But at this stage, things are getting harder to keep positive and believe that things will be better.

I am currently at very down moment… that I wish to fade away…

I feel like I have given up my best. It seems I have given it all. Is it the moment to awake from the truth? The truth… that all things are meant to be, just the way it is. There is no greater things… or is there?

Help me to see where to go, or what to do. Help me to see the silver lining beyond this. And help me to accept things the way it is.

On my wish list: Food Safari

You know how much Brisbane has grown. I found another new spot for me to hang out!!! Just opposite Borders at Queens Street Mall, Dymocks open their store. It's pretty big. I found couples nice design book where I could comfortably skimming them :P (not like in folio where the store so intimate. the cashier just around the corner).

The first thing that I picked up was Food Safari by Maeve O'Meara. If you don't live in Australia, maybe you are not familiar with Food Safari. It a tv shows from SBS that takes you on a culinary globetrot across Australia. The producer and presenter is Maeve O'Meara. I've been collecting the DVD, it's now up to the third one. I was amazed because it's really covered the whole seasons from the show, packed up with the recipe.

I really like Food Safari. Well, I rely on their recipe quite a lot. It's very easy to follow, no gimmicky. All the cooking was just done from three-hat chefs to passionate home-cooks. I really don't know what to do if I lost all their recipes ahahhaha… My top list dishes was inspired from watching their show. Which I just cooked last night, Ikan bumbu bali!

Another that surprise me that given me hard time to put down the book was — it's beautifully design. You've seen lot's of cook book design, they're all pretty nice. But this one is extra nice. Hoefler & Jones typeface — Archer combined with Avenir strikes me. It could be using the new Sentinel but could be just normal Clarendon (it's too much luxury if they do). The way the photos were laid out covered with nice pretty patterns, is just lovely :)

I love the book! and its has Maeve O'Meara autograph!!!

Check out the book, here. You could dowload the sample pages as well. So you could see the design and the recipe :)

Inspiration words of the week

Be persistent! Don't ever loose hope.

I found this application called The Action Method which is a project management, productivity and task application quite handy. It help you organise all your projects, similar like BaseCamp. It's quite necessary tools if you are a freelancer. (I just realised it's not free as well T_T).

Image via Paper Jam Press, Brooklyn, NY.

What if…

Today, a slight councious came to my mind, what if I did not loose my job. What if my life were still the same. I don't have to go through with this phase. Although, honestly, I don't worry much at the moment. I know for sure, things we'll go better. But, I do make my close one, worry and felt sorry for me. I hate that feeling. And, I hate being poor — who don't?!!

If things will go as the way it used to. I think I would be able to say it's my great year ever! Before I lost my job, I felt really really happy. Everything was so transparent. I was so looking forward for my holiday to go back home or even planning a Christmas holiday trip with my friends. I had paid all my tickets. But, now, I am not even sure I will be able to go. I am dying to go back… even though it's too late, I won't be able to see my dog anymore. He passed away the day before I lost my job. I haven't even put the time to deal with it yet. But things happened one after another. It was a very tough week.

But, If I don't loose my jobs… I wouldn't be able to realise and appreciate my self — of how much I have grown as designer and a person. I have not been feeling nervous in any job interview that I've been so far. Because I know exactly what I am capable of and I am very very proud of it. I know and remember where I wanted to be.

If I don't loose my jobs… I wouldn't realise how important is friendship. I feel so lucky surrounded by nice people. I am being more open to them. As I am more forgivable to my self. I praise for every moment and little things that I have. I had the opportunity to know better and put more attention about people surround me. It's funny, how I've never realised that they actually needing help.

It's a realization. It's time to grow. It's a blessing.




In memory — superbly spoiled dog — 11 November 2009