Twitter Handbook Cover Contest
July 25th, 2008 · Filed Under: Twitter Contest
Here at last! Here at last! Let the Twitter Handbook Cover Design Contest begin! To vote, simply add a comment below (to keep it as easy as possible, please start your comment with "Entry 5" or whichever cover you like best).
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July 25th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Entry 7 - I like this entry because people are what social media is about so they should be on the cover. It’s also a cleaner look - some of the others are too busy and distract from the text. However, I prefer the subhead on Entry 1.
Hope this helps.
Great work.
Andrea
July 25th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Sorry - none of them….
How about the Twittervision earth with a couple of tweets up saying follow me in a few different languages?
Just a thought. Love this info Coach Deb & Warren!
July 25th, 2008 at 3:36 am
Oops - I think it’s called TwitterMap - you know the thing where it shows the twirling globe and different tweets pin pointed on different places around the world. (see comment above.)
July 25th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Can’t really explain it, but Entry #1 resonated most for me. I do like the subtitle in the first two entries best as well.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Entry 1 is my first choice.
Entry 7 is my second choice. If the people featured were a photograph instead of a graphic, this would be my first choice.
Best regards
Tito de Morais
July 25th, 2008 at 3:58 am
Sorry guys,
But they are all average. Very average.
They look amateur.
Head on over to the warrior forum and ask the people there for feedback, or suggestions for cover graphics.
It could make a MASSIVE difference to your sales…
One person I’ve used (to great effect) is Sam Kern from http://ecoverbox.com - He’ll NAIL IT for you first time (I’m sure).
Cheers
Dave
July 25th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Number 1 does it for me.
Have a great weekend.
David
July 25th, 2008 at 4:03 am
entry 6 is the most appealing to me a simplistic design but gives the message. entry 1 would be my second choise.
John
July 25th, 2008 at 4:09 am
entry 4 and entry 7 are a toss up for me.
Heidi
July 25th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Sorry to say, but I think they are all pretty bad to be honest.
I can’t even decide which one I dislike the most, never mind which I think is the ‘best’.
Were entries 4, 5, 6 and 7 all ‘designed’ by the same person?
Amateur designs for an amateur competition I guess
Amit.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Entry #6 is my first choice, but I also like entry #1.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Entry #3 - simple, clean.
However, you’ve got apples & oranges here because not only do you have different covers, you have 2 different subtitles. I prefer the subtitle in #2.
The images with the rows of birds remind me too much of the cover of Personality Not Included just published by Rohit Bhargava.
Nice job!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Entry #1 would be my first choice,, #7 second.
Since you talk about Twitter tweets,, having birds makes sense..
July 25th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I like Entry 1
July 25th, 2008 at 4:50 am
I like the subtitle of Entry #1, but do not like any of the covers. I like the concept of Entry #3, but I think what would be better is if you had a row of people portraying the idea shown on that cover. I also like the concept of Entry #1, with the bubble saying follow me, but I think it should be with one person saying it and lifting his arm in the “follow me” motion and a group of people behind him, or use birds, since that is what many people think of when they think of Twitter.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Entry #6 or Entry #1. Both of them give me (if I were a non-Twitterer) an instant sense of what Twitter’s about.
And both show a sense of whimsy, which I like…
Sheila
July 25th, 2008 at 5:04 am
As graphic and ebook cover designer, I really think that it would be best to run this contest one more time or hire a professional to create your cover. I applaud the efforts of the people who submitted art, and there are some good components in each effort - unfortunately not one completely conveys quite the professional image I’m sure you’re looking for. I’d also suggest giving them shorter subtitles to work with. Something maybe like the sample I have online here - that would allow more space for more impact: http://www.pearlsandgrace.net/images/book-twitter2.jpg
July 25th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Entry 7 - A familiar and conventional look that to me suggests organized, intelligent and practical content.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:14 am
My first pick is #1 and second choice is #6. All the submissions are good, these two stand out and grab my attention. Job well done to all graphic submitters.
Cheers!
David
David Tinney-No BS or Hype Allowed
July 25th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Entry #7: The best concept overall. That’s my favorite so far. Twitter is about people and there is a follow mentality. The image showed that quite well.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Entry #2
By placing the various Twitter language sandwiched between Twitter and Handbook it saves time when looking for solutions to a problem by knowing what I will find in the handbook.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Entry #1
Clean and simple…but the word twitter should match
the site font.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:01 am
That’s easy, number 6.
It’s very complimentary to the Twitter brand — with the blue and the whimsy look, tone and feel.
Suggested change — use the Twitter-esqe font, as on #2.
Nice job!
I look forward to reading it.
Dan Safkow
Twitter Marketing Secrets Blog
July 25th, 2008 at 6:21 am
#6 is the best by far cos has cute tweets and very tweeter-ish! (Immediately identifiable that is about Twitter.) Would use twitter font if you can. Suggest making your authors’ names and ‘what are you doing’ bit bigger.
Very appealing - will be a stunning cover!
Congrats,
Tina
July 25th, 2008 at 6:26 am
2nd entry
Without a doubt the 2nd entry portrays all the the Twitter media and the cover opens your mind to areas of Twitter which you may not know existed. Just the cover is an education in itself.
I think it is very clear and sharp as Twitter should be.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Definitely Number7
July 25th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Entry #1
I like the Chicks!
July 25th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Entry #1
July 25th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Entry #3
July 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hmmm, it is a toss-up between number 1 and number 6, but I think I’m going to go with number 6.
It just looks so darn “Twitterish”!
Sharon McPherson
@SharonMcP
July 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
#1 is my choice. We all love to Follow for the latest in news.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Given the choices above,
I prefer #6.
My second choice would be #1 (with a corrected subtitle of course).
Third, I would choose #7.
A couple of them are just too amateur.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:57 am
#6 looked like Twitter to me and it’s the only cover I still see in my mind except for #7 with all the people, so…that was my first take.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I like the look of entry #1 but not the chicks. Maybe better with avitars. As a book buyer, I feel like I could get more people to follow me.
Entry #2 Too busy
Entry #3 Looks like secrets and the old game “telephone.” (Deb, ask Warren, you’re too young.)
Entry #4 A beautiful cover for another book
Entry #5 Will look more like ants online
Entry # 6 I like this one!
Entry # 7 Looks like you want me to follow a crowd. Non-tweeps won’t understand and won’t want to follow.
Joy~
Jeanette
P. S. If I had time, I’d design a cover for you using Design Psychology.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I like number 7 but it is lacking something. It looks just a little too stuffy and common.
Social media should include people because that is what socializing is all about. However, the color is wrong it needs to be blue based. A dark blue headline and a very pale blue as a background and black for all other subheadlines. The font is ok.
Now the big thing. I think you should have a little cartoon-like blue bird leading the people or in the center with people standing in a semicircle standing around the little bird.
That way you will have a good brand for tweeter (The Blue Bird) and people all networking, learning and communicating.
Thanks and have a sizzling, super day and may the sun always shine upon your smiling face.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Entry 5 felt the best to me.
Warmest Regards,
Edward
July 25th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Entry #6, they are all great and some are really cute but this one, to ME, is not only cute and catchy but really represents the idea OF tweeting!
July 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Entry #6 does it for me as well. It seems the most in keeping with the Twitter aesthetic.
Kind regards
Andrew
July 26th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Entry #1
Hmm…I hate to say it but none of these covers would catch my attention in a bookstore except #1 because of the subtitle
and I’d be wondering what the heck the ducks had to do with
Social Media. So, that get sm y vote as your best option if you’re going to go with one of these choices.
Entry #4
has a nice rich look to it that I like but without a graphic it almost makes me think it’s a religious book. Dont like the subtitle on it either. “Good People” as determined by who?
Hope that helps.
Looking forward to reading it~
Good luck Deb & Warren!
Ciao~
Michael
July 26th, 2008 at 3:38 am
If you think about looking at a bunch of books in your favorite book store your eyes will first be drawn to color. So Entry 1, 4, or 7. Their colors snap and pop.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I don’t think any of them really give twitter justice… Twitter and it’s capabilities are way more explosive then what the covers portray.
July 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Entry 4 is pulling on the energy of both enlightenment and earth. It’s clear clean and worth reading!
July 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Like #8 because of the visible tie to twitter. Is it new or am I way out of sync with everyone else as it appears I’m the first to vote for this one!
July 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Entry #1. My 18-year-old agrees. She’s very social, having 500 Facebook friends.
Yvonne
July 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I like entry one the best, but I’m gonna throw a bit of a wrench in the works… I like Entry 1’s layout, but I like the bird graphic from entry 6 or 8… since they look like BIRDS (who go “tweet”) rather than ducks, who go “quack”… =)
2 is too busy, 3 is just yuck, 4 is attractive but gives me no understanding of the book from the cover, 5 is okay but… 6 just doesn’t do a thing for me other than the tweety birds…
7 is probably my second choice, but again - I like having birds on the cover… it just makes me think of tweet… twitter… and the idea of social marketing can (and should) be explained further inside…
8 is okay with me too although, I think it’s very simplistic… which doesn’t attract my attention the same way. ??
July 27th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
#1, but wasn’t “wowed” by any of them.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Entry 4 . Because it has nice color, is not too busy. I love reading how too and tech mans and this. Over seems to suit me!
July 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
What Brenda said… Entry One but would rather have birds than ducks
July 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I’d say #8 is best associated to Twitter - branding is enhanced, people associate the bird in its online presence and its to the point. The title says it all, the design compliments.
July 27th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Entry 1 - the ducks are good.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Entry #1 Love the ducks!!
Therese Prentice
@inthelivingroom
July 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am
None are jumping off the page for me. I like 8, but not necessarily for twitter. I think I also like it because it has more color. I think some of the others are good, but need something more to make them exciting.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Entry 6 is my favorite. Number 7 comes in second. Props to number 5; it’s very cute. I’m impressed with the effort behind all of them.
Leigh Ann Hubbard
Managing Editor
James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor
July 29th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Entry has a nice visual the name really stands out making it easy to identify and the subheadline is the perfect size and contrast/compliment to the title.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Entry 6 is the one i favor
I like 6 & 7
1 & 4 are OK
8 the Twitter font, yeah
—BolaLuv “Expect Miracles”
July 29th, 2008 at 4:30 am
I love entry #1 followed by #4
July 31st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I like Entry 1 maybe because it’s the first one I saw which is similar to Entry 7 and third would be Entry 8 the sky blue color is interesting.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Of the ones shown, I prefer #8 since this is, after all, about Twitter. Can you use their logo, etc., though, without copyright infringement? Also, I think it would be most effective with folks who are at least familiar with Twitter - which is why the logo tie-in would work. In the other direction, for the newbie, picking up the book and then seeing the site would add the same tie-in & credibility (in other words, I think it would work either way).
From a purely visual sense, I think #4 is most appealing, but I also think it looks too much like every other book out there, doesn’t give me any clue about what the book contains, and so doesn’t add anything. In my mind it doesn’t connect to Twitter, and doesn’t give me any visual idea what it might be about. From a graphic point of view, I would italicize the word FAST - letters leaning to the right look faster (and of course that would mean not italicizing “and”).
I might also suggest a graphic that looks more like an interconnected mindmap for the cover (although you would need to be a little careful with this to not misrepresent the content of the book). I make the suggestion because I think Twitter is a synergistic and interconnected experience. I believe that’s what is being suggested by #2 & #3, but I find #2 too cluttered & I don’t think #3 tells me what the book is really about.
Well, I guess that’s worth about 2 cents
Good luck!
Katie
http://twitter.com/katiedarden
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
I like #6 and #1. I am confused by those who like #7 as it does not include any Twitter iconography or even hints at it. Same with #4 & 5. I think #2 could be tweaked some (give it more of the “universe” in the background) and it could be good as well.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Entry 1.
Love it. I think it’s super charming.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
@ Jeanette Fisher
Hawaii must be doing well for me, because I’m Much older than I look. (unless u drag me to the mainland to speak - and then I look 10 yrs older!)
I played that game Telephone SO many times & on the farm I grew up on, it was a Great way to talk to my sister in the chicken coup while I was in the fort off the horse track.
@ Peggy - yes #8 & 9 were late entries.
Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Thanks to each of you who shared your comments!
Your contributions in the comments have really helped us not only Select the winner for “The Twitter Handbook” cover it also helped us work with the designer to make a few adjustments based on your feedback to make it that much better!
Winner will be announced in a blog entry along with the official revised cover of The Twitter Handbook this week - along with the first chapter & TOC (Table of Contents) as it is almost ready for release.
FYI: re: using the Twitter font & logo
Since we are the “unofficial” Twitter Handbook
(i.e.: authors / users of Twitters & not employees
of Twitter writing about Twitter)
you can NOT use a company’s logo, font, etc. without
being in violation of copyright infringement.
We want to offer a helpful book for the TWitterverse
to help them understand, use and maximize their time
using Twitter - but want to do this in a way that
respects their brand at the same time.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Entry #8 - It makes best sense to incorporate Twitter’s original art in the cover.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 am
[...] Recent public urls tagged “goldberg” → Comment on Twitter Handbook Cover Contest by Jaime Goldberg [...]
November 10th, 2008 at 6:08 am
I like #9; birds on a wire. I like the idea of birds that tweet, and that one is the most ‘professional-looking’ of the bird choices. More than that, birds are doing something that they normally do; congregate on a wire (sort of like on a line). I find it the most aesthetically pleasing, and it reminds me of a Hitchcock movie.
OK, I just looked back. I guess you already picked, and I’m guessing from the replies it ain’t 9. Maybe the Hitchcock thing subconsciously scares people.