Inspiration: Barnaby Whitfield

Colorful, ruddy, and concupiscent! See more work from Barnaby Whitfield  here.

Why do some images show up again and again?

We are awash in images. Think of all the paintings, photos, videos, and screen captures that are made every day. And yet... book jackets can still end up using the same image. Maybe this fact gives credence to the the idea that some images are just better than others——because they continue to resonate with people over time. (Or maybe we designers are just a bunch of lazy copycats!)

So with that in mind, take a look at this great collection of covers:

http://readingthepast.com/gallery/reusable-covers.htm

Even with the exact same image, it's interesting to see how much typography, cropping, and decorative elements can alter the focus of an image.

More copycat covers here:

http://shereadsandreads.blogspot.com/search/label/Similar%20covers
http://therapsheet.blogspot.com/search/label/Copycat%20Covers

the Designer's Curse ("I could make that!")

Like most designers, I love beautiful things. The problem with gorgeous stuff is it's often too darn expensive. It's these opposing forces—desire vs. means—that give rise to what I've dubbed the Designer's Curse: You see something gorgeous, but it's beyond your means. So you think to yourself: "I could make that!" And you go through life adding to an ever-lengthening list of the beautiful things (paintings, sculptures, posters, stickers, t-shirts, planters, pillows, sweaters, coffeetables, etc.) that you know you could make for yourself instead of buy... if you would just get around to doing so.

I've had this magazine page of a Francesco Clemente painting since 2000 (ten years!!). And last night, I finally decided that it was time to create my replica of it. I got nowhere near the original painting's gorgeous tonality, but I'm pretty happy with it. One down, millions to go...