"And, even when I send the three ideas to the editor with a caveat stating which concepts I prefer, it's almost a guarantee they will pick the one you like the least."
My day job used to be in graphic design, and the same thing held true for 90% of my designs. I could usually predict which one they would choose, but hoping that I might be allowed to do something interesting...
Let's say an artist is asked to draw something that will sell milk. On the surface that should be super simple but, in practice, it's harder than you think.
You can strip milk down to its three essentials: cow, nourishment, nipple. As the artist, you think about what could make it pop. Add something unexpected. So you put a dash of hot sauce in it. Spice it up. Only the client is nervous that the hot sauce won't sell -- it's too spicy. And, besides, there isn't inherent hot sauce in milk. You explain the reasoning behind the hot sauce and, together, you bang brain pans in hopes of conjuring something else that makes sense. The artist suggests they lean into the nipple. The editor politely reminds you that the nipple is too scandalous in America. So they lean into what makes milk safe yet appealing. A cute cow that provides nourishment. Calcium that helps grow and strengthen bones. Only, now calcium and the cute cow might not be enough to sell the milk! So they ask you to add things that allude to the stuff you originally wanted to celebrate, but they make you hide nipples with tassels and make the cute cow fly like a bird with plumes of butt clouds (because cows produce so much methane). And when all is said and done, the artist and the client have inadvertently produced a vaulting cock tease that could burst a gigantic hole into the ozone!
And, instead of milk, you get a set of Blue Balls and O-rings.
Interesting musings on 'the third cover.' The question that pops into my mind is something like, "isn't it always a possibility they select none of your covers?" So, in effect you always have to supply the-one-you-hate-but-they-like because the worst case isn't merely drawing something boring, it could be as bad as losing the contract. But maybe I don't understand how these contracts work.
Good question. Rejecting all three ideas is certainly a possibility. Means going back to the drawing board.
I remember drawing a quick cover idea on a bar napkin for THE ALCOHOLIC (a graphic novel I did with writer Jonathan Ames) and everyone liked my initial idea but wanted me to explore other ideas. I wound up drawing 30+ ideas before everyone agreed the first one (the one I drew on a bar napkin) was the best one.
Bottom line: there is no right answer. Just esthetics.
The original cover had a drink and a straw and a napkin drawing on a bar. I did a pencils drawing that was superimposed onto the napkin. I'll have to dig up my initial drawing someday.
"And, even when I send the three ideas to the editor with a caveat stating which concepts I prefer, it's almost a guarantee they will pick the one you like the least."
Fucking ALWAYS!
Hahaha!
(sob)
My day job used to be in graphic design, and the same thing held true for 90% of my designs. I could usually predict which one they would choose, but hoping that I might be allowed to do something interesting...
Let's say an artist is asked to draw something that will sell milk. On the surface that should be super simple but, in practice, it's harder than you think.
You can strip milk down to its three essentials: cow, nourishment, nipple. As the artist, you think about what could make it pop. Add something unexpected. So you put a dash of hot sauce in it. Spice it up. Only the client is nervous that the hot sauce won't sell -- it's too spicy. And, besides, there isn't inherent hot sauce in milk. You explain the reasoning behind the hot sauce and, together, you bang brain pans in hopes of conjuring something else that makes sense. The artist suggests they lean into the nipple. The editor politely reminds you that the nipple is too scandalous in America. So they lean into what makes milk safe yet appealing. A cute cow that provides nourishment. Calcium that helps grow and strengthen bones. Only, now calcium and the cute cow might not be enough to sell the milk! So they ask you to add things that allude to the stuff you originally wanted to celebrate, but they make you hide nipples with tassels and make the cute cow fly like a bird with plumes of butt clouds (because cows produce so much methane). And when all is said and done, the artist and the client have inadvertently produced a vaulting cock tease that could burst a gigantic hole into the ozone!
And, instead of milk, you get a set of Blue Balls and O-rings.
Not EXACTLY my experience, but close enough!
Hahahaha
Interesting musings on 'the third cover.' The question that pops into my mind is something like, "isn't it always a possibility they select none of your covers?" So, in effect you always have to supply the-one-you-hate-but-they-like because the worst case isn't merely drawing something boring, it could be as bad as losing the contract. But maybe I don't understand how these contracts work.
Good question. Rejecting all three ideas is certainly a possibility. Means going back to the drawing board.
I remember drawing a quick cover idea on a bar napkin for THE ALCOHOLIC (a graphic novel I did with writer Jonathan Ames) and everyone liked my initial idea but wanted me to explore other ideas. I wound up drawing 30+ ideas before everyone agreed the first one (the one I drew on a bar napkin) was the best one.
Bottom line: there is no right answer. Just esthetics.
I remember that cover! Wasn’t the cover a photo of the napkin? It was cool iirc.
The original cover had a drink and a straw and a napkin drawing on a bar. I did a pencils drawing that was superimposed onto the napkin. I'll have to dig up my initial drawing someday.
Yeah! Great cover. Unique and eye-catching!