Want to design a book cover for me?

[Crittias]

Well, I'm seriously considering getting my NaNo2007 book published (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1601) (for personal aggrandizement, not really for actual sale). Trouble is, I need some artwork for a cover.

I know what I want, it's just that I possess absolutely zero computer-based artistic ability.

What I would like is a silhouette of a man mowing a lawn against a sunset background. Preferably a push-power. The man, the mower, and the grass would be completely black. For the sky, I'd like it to be a red to blue to starry black fade, but I'd like, very faintly, for the sunset colors to actually be random 0's and 1's.

Anyone want to tackle an art project for me? I could pay (a small amount) or provide a free copy of the book for whoever can help me out.

[Generation ABXY]

What I would like is a silhouette of a man mowing a lawn against a sunset background. Preferably a push-power. The man, the mower, and the grass would be completely black. For the sky, I'd like it to be a red to blue to starry black fade, but I'd like, very faintly, for the sunset colors to actually be random 0's and 1's.

Okay, my curiosity is piqued - now I have to know what this book is about! :D

And, sorry I can't help. I have no photoshop skills - my talents are limited to coffee watercolors. Good luck, though.

[shunoshi]

I may take a stab at it if I have some time. My Photoshop skills aren't the best, but they're not shabby. It's been awhile since I messed around with it anyway. If I come up with something I'll post it here. What's the name of the book, btw?

[Crittias]

The title is, "The Emancipation of Bartholomew Benson." It's speculative fiction, near-future setting, focused on an ex-soldier with a generous helping of paranoia about technology and control.

[Generation ABXY]

The title is, "The Emancipation of Bartholomew Benson." It's speculative fiction, near-future setting, focused on an ex-soldier with a generous helping of paranoia about technology and control.

Oh, I like the title. Not the basis to judge a book, I know, but it is quite catchy. :)

And that description does indeed help explain the desired cover art.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

I'll give it a shot when I have some spare time as well. When you say push power, you mean just the ones with the blades on a wheel, right?

[Crittias]

I'll give it a shot when I have some spare time as well. When you say push power, you mean just the ones with the blades on a wheel, right?No, I mean a mower you stand and push rather than a sit-and-drive tractor mower. The push mower can still be mechanical (in fact, I'd prefer it).

[SpacemanSpiff757]

Here's what I've come up with thus far with only about 30min worth of work. Obviously a lot of clean up to do and I think the guy mowing the grass looks gross so that will probably go and I have to soften the edges. The background is the only thing I think I won't (or minimally) change.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j70/bockalakalus/book-cover_cleanup.jpg

EDIT: I think I messed up on how you wanted the background. I'll work on that tomorrow evening. Sorry! :(

[Crittias]

Here's what I've come up with thus far with only about 30min worth of work. Obviously a lot of clean up to do and I think the guy mowing the grass looks gross so that will probably go and I have to soften the edges. The background is the only thing I think I won't (or minimally) change.

EDIT: I think I messed up on how you wanted the background. I'll work on that tomorrow evening. Sorry! :(For a quick first pass, that's amazingly close to what I was envisioning. Thanks very much!

[BrassGecko]

My take on it:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b44/brassgecko/emancipationbartholomew2.jpg

Everything in that image can be moved, altered or adjusted pretty easily.

Edit: I meant to ask, do you know what size cover it would be?

[Crittias]

My take on it:

Everything in that image can be moved, altered or adjusted pretty easily.

Edit: I meant to ask, do you know what size cover it would be?Wow, that's just about perfect! Think you could make the lawnmower look like a gas-powered push mower?

I don't know the size off the top of my head, but I can check the site and see.

[Crittias]

5.25" x 8" would be the cover dimensions.

[shunoshi]

That's exactly what I was thinking, BrassGecko. I think you're in good hands Crittias. :D

[Generation ABXY]

Indeed, he is. I mean, he says that's what he is looking for (which is all the more impressive), but it is the turnaround that has me amazed. Now I know where to come if I ever need a quick cover for a book! :D

[BrassGecko]

Think you could make the lawnmower look like a gas-powered push mower?
5.25" x 8" would be the cover dimensions.

I changed some other things here and there, but those were the big ones. The title's just there for spacing right now, it looks off balance at the moment.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b44/brassgecko/emancipationbartholomew3.jpg

Thanks for the kind words guys, they put me in a good mood this morning!

[GigaFuzz]

Slight critique. I think it would look better if the 1s and 0s spilled over the sides, e.g. at the very edge of the cover you see half a 1 or 0. At the moment there's a definite border where they stop. I hope that makes sense.

It is, however, not my book. :p

Edit: And maybe reduce the brightness of the stars?

[BrassGecko]

Slight critique. I think it would look better if the 1s and 0s spilled over the sides, e.g. at the very edge of the cover you see half a 1 or 0. At the moment there's a definite border where they stop. I hope that makes sense.

It is, however, not my book. :p

Edit: And maybe reduce the brightness of the stars?

Your border idea does make sense. I'll give it a try in the next version, at least for the left and right edges. As far as the stars, there are actually supposed to be smaller ones mixed in so that make the bright ones look less out of place, but they seem to have gotten lost somewhere in the Illustrator file -> jpg -> photobucket transition. On the other hand, that might mean they're too small anyway. I'll play around after Crittias pokes at it all too. :D
It's pretty lovely that the art department here has the adobe cs3 suite for us to use.