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

March's AIGA Creative Mass happy hour poster

The theme for next month's Creative Mass happy hour is handmade sustainable design. Conceptually, a handmade image would have been ideal for the event poster. Or at least I could have used some lovely scanned lettering like this from SketchType. But, but... Given the time and budget constraints, I decided to go with a (computer generated) allusion to Michelangelo's Creation of Man. Ol' Mickey at least did all his stuff by hand!


Looking back, I notice a similarity between this design and the one I did for a similar event last year (see here). I guess I like lists!

And here's one I did a few months later... more magenta and yellow.


But sometimes I go with a different feel. This one says "totalitarian mind control" ;0)