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Dr. Atomic · 18th February 2007, 06:01 PM

True, the book designers are often underrated -- though in the last couple years, I've seen two articles in the NY Times about jacket design and the people who put it all together. While the art work is obviously important for selling a book, it takes a good designer to use the art, along with text, to put together a package that looks interesting and accomplishes whatever it is that the publisher (and sometimes, though rarely, the author) wants to accomplish.

I've worked for a couple different magazines, and I'm always amazed with the effort that goes into producing the covers -- a good designer can take a lackluster photo and, with some creative layout and font usage, use it to crete a compelling cover that leaps off the stands.

As far as classic sf goes, I know that the author James Gunn (The Listeners) was working with Dell when they published the paperback edition of Robert Heinlein's Universe, and from what I've read, Gunn played a large role in the cover's design. (It's a great cover...) This was for their final "10 Cent" series of paperbacks...

And I also once saw a first edition hardcover copy of Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man, which was inscribed from the publisher to the cover designer (not the artist). Very interesting, especially because, using only two colors, the designer -- whose name I unfortunately forget -- created an amazingly dramatic book jacket. One of my favorites!

Finally, David A Kyle, who started the venerable Gnome Press (publishers of some of science fiction's most important books in the 40s and onward), did much of the design and layout for his company's books. People know him as a publisher and an author in his own right, but few realize how important he was to the look and feel of these iconic publications. He's the reason Gnome Press books are so cool looking, and, in my opinion, so much fun to collect.

I wish I knew more about some of the classic designers... I haven't had time yet to read it all, but your interview, Houdinination, seems very interesting -- thanks for bringing it to my attention.

18th February 2007, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. Atomic tired... so tired... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 171	Re: The underrecognized element ... True, the book designers are often underrated -- though in the last couple years, I've seen two articles in the NY Times about jacket design and the people who put it all together. While the art work is obviously important for selling a book, it takes a good designer to use the art, along with text, to put together a package that looks interesting and accomplishes whatever it is that the publisher (and sometimes, though rarely, the author) wants to accomplish. I've worked for a couple different magazines, and I'm always amazed with the effort that goes into producing the covers -- a good designer can take a lackluster photo and, with some creative layout and font usage, use it to crete a compelling cover that leaps off the stands. As far as classic sf goes, I know that the author James Gunn (The Listeners) was working with Dell when they published the paperback edition of Robert Heinlein's Universe, and from what I've read, Gunn played a large role in the cover's design. (It's a great cover...) This was for their final "10 Cent" series of paperbacks... And I also once saw a first edition hardcover copy of Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man, which was inscribed from the publisher to the cover designer (not the artist). Very interesting, especially because, using only two colors, the designer -- whose name I unfortunately forget -- created an amazingly dramatic book jacket. One of my favorites! Finally, David A Kyle, who started the venerable Gnome Press (publishers of some of science fiction's most important books in the 40s and onward), did much of the design and layout for his company's books. People know him as a publisher and an author in his own right, but few realize how important he was to the look and feel of these iconic publications. He's the reason Gnome Press books are so cool looking, and, in my opinion, so much fun to collect. I wish I knew more about some of the classic designers... I haven't had time yet to read it all, but your interview, Houdinination, seems very interesting -- thanks for bringing it to my attention.