Frank Cucciarre, president of Blink Concept & Design, has graciously answered our questions about the process of creating a book cover.  Please take a look at his very informative answers below.

Do you create a book cover after you read it, or don’t read it?
I do not read the books. The book covers I’ve done generally have a
contact at the publisher that I work with. The authors many times
have their own ideas about what they envision for their covers. The
publisher uses their knowledge of what makes a good cover (by which I
mean, marketable) and works with the author to arrive at a clear
idea. The publisher then comes to me with the synopsis of the book
and the author’s ideas. I evaluate them and depending on the
publisher, make suggestions of my own. It becomes a team effort.

What is the most difficult thing about designing a book cover?
Good question. Understanding the audience that will be reading it,
and understanding the author’s intent. Once the designer can get that
clear in his/her mind, the rest is just…well, FUN!

How long does it take to make one book cover?
It can depend. If the cover is concept is left entirely up to me, I
would plan a concept phase (maybe 2 weeks depending on my work load)
where I would research different concepts, then pitch 2 or 3 ideas,
then go back and forth with the author or publisher to define the
idea.  Then there is the design phase, where I would take the idea
and rough it out in layout form (sometimes by sketches, and sometimes
by electronic comps). The design phase might take 2 more weeks with
revisions. Finally, the production phase, where I’m dropping in live
text, maybe designing the back cover and spine of the book, more
revisions and approvals with the author or publisher, and final file
prep for the printer. That could be another 2 weeks.
If the concept is clear from the start, it could take maybe 2 to 3
weeks to have design, approvals and final file prep for the printer.

Do you meet the writer of the book?
I’ve only had 2 occasions where I’ve actually sat across from the
author. Both times were enjoyable and in both cases, the author left
with a different concept than wanted. Its great to be able to meet
the writer. A designer can feel the energy from the writer, feed off
it, and visualize a concept that might be something that the writer
never thought of. Its really exciting to have a chance to collaborate
on a one-to-one level.

How do you decide the picture?  color?  symbols?
Deciding on the right image or symbols comes from questioning the
author or publisher. Each designer has their own way of thinking. Its
up to the designer to make sure he/she understands VISUALLY what the
author is saying with his/her WRITING. Then to convey that visually.
Color, as I work, comes from the visual. For example, if I use a
photograph, I’ll sample colors from with in that photo to develop a
color palette. If I am using a symbol or illustration, I might
consult color trends or color combination books that are available.
Colors can say a lot, so its important to be aware of the tone of the
book, the visual, and what colors best convey those themes.

Are there any differences in designing depending on the readers’ age?
ABSOLUTELY.  All the above play the same roles depending on the
reader’s age. Colors such as primary palattes work best for young
children; larger more legible typography work better for older
readers. All these things are the responsibility of the designer.
(source: personal communication, October 16, 2008)

Thank you so much, Frank, for taking the time to answer our questions!  We really appreciate this opportunity to connect with you and to learn something about your field!

This semester we will embark on an exciting journey in the wonderful world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  In order to learn a little bit more about the stories, characters, and places related to this book, you watched the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.  The book, The Hobbit, is actually a prequel to this movie.  In the comments, please leave your review of the movie and let us know what intrigues you or what disinterests you about this story.  I am looking forward to seeing you in class in a couple of days and continuing our discussion!

In preparation for writing a review of The Little Prince Opera, let’s practice writing a recommendation for a movie.  In your comment, please tell us the name of the movie, evaluate the movie on a couple of criteria, and tell whether or not you recommend the movie.  Here is my example.

I recommend the movie Chocolat because the setting, plot, and cast are excellent.  This movie is set in a small, conservative village in France.  In the movie, a woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop and face some difficulties in winning over the residents of the village.  Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche, and Judi Dench star in this movie.  This movie is based on the book, Chocolat by Joanne Harris, who is one of my favorite authors.  If you are interested in France or the drama of human relationships, then you should watch Chocolat.

What movies would you like to recommend?

Thank you for your posts and comments on our IES Book and Literature Circle Blog! This is a great way to continue discussing the book throughout the week and for the various literature circle groups to interact with one another! This past week, the Little Prince left his planet and began his journey from one planet to the next. Along the way, he met various characters, such as the drunkard, vain man, businessman, and geographer. Each group had a different interpretation about the characters and their meaning. Read on and share your opinion! I’m looking forward to our interaction!!

There are many images of the Little Prince on the Internet; here is just a sampling! In fact, Japan has a few interesting connections to this book — do you know what they are?

The characters in this section, except the Lamplighter, represent adults thoughts and attitudes.  For example, the King is kind of human ego, the Businessman represents to gain money or benefit, so in this story, the stars show money.  The geographer represents to be honor and the vain man represents self-loving.  So all these people represent typical adults’ attitude and idea.

The Little Prince learned from the geographer that the flower is ephemeral and weak.  He regrets about the flower.  In our opinion, the Little Prince should go back to his planet in order to protect the flower, if he is worried about her.

Why did the Little Prince continue his journey though he was worried about the flower?

By Midori, Ayaka, Shogo, and Mai

The businessman was very busy to calculate.  He has a lot of money.  He is satisfied with placing money in the bank.  Is he happy or unhappy?

Azusa said that he is unhappy because he doesn’t have a chance to use it.  Kaori said that he is happy because he likes to calculate and make money.  Mami said that he doesn’t have a feeling of happiness or unhappiness because he is so busy.

What do you think?

By Momo and Kaori

Every grown-up thinks they should be independent or strong, but actually they feel lonely at the same time. They can’t show their weakness or real feelings, so they want to run away from themselves. For example, the drunkard always drinks to forget his weakness because he should solve his weakness by himself.

The gentleman also wants to run away from his reality of dying. He wants to believe unchanging, such as mountains, rivers, and oceans. Both of them want to show their deep feelings, but they are grown-ups, so they can’t do that.

Have you every wanted to run away from your real like? If so, what’s your solution?

By Yuki, Ayumi, Akimi, and Nanako

Everyone is lonely and works to forget the loneliness.  They make themselves busy and complain about business.

The King is a contradictory person because he seems to be knowledgeable and he wants to be reasonable king, but he can’t follow his words.

The author has a negative view of this world.  He wants to argue social issues through his imaginary planet to compare with the earth.  Every character represents people on earth.  The Little Prince iss disappointed at them.  We think the Little Prince is visible only for the person who lost child mind.  Therefore, losing child mind makes people lonely.

Is the earth a negative world for you?

By Kento, Satomi, Shiho, Keiko, and Takayuki

We talked about who is the silliest character. Each character has his own irony for the grown-ups. We though geographer has narrow mind. He can only hear what he wants. He is studying about mountain, but he didn’t experience mountain, so he can’t write about real mountain.

I searched The Little Prince. There are a lot of secret ironies. I found what the number 516, 612, 731 means. It might mean the sum of the countries’ population which occurred in WWI? So, we think this book is interesting to find secret. [need citation]

What kind of irony is there in this book? What is the most important thing for adult person?

By Yuto, Saori, Marina, Hiroshi, and Yum

There is a drunkard in this book.  He drank a lot to forget something ashames, and we were very interested in that, so we discussed about it.  We sometimes see this kind of adult.  Why do they drink instead of other activity to forget something?

Mami said it is easy to do because they drink while eating, and eating is our habit.  Moreover, they are busy so they have no time do do sports.  Azusa said they drink alone a home, not outside.

Then, what do you think about this?

By Azusa and Mami