Cover design for new Grand Cayman dive and snorkel guide

[Ian Popple]

Just a general comment/opinion: To me, regardless of the picture, the overall cover design feels graphically “old/dated” - like I’m looking at 1970’s magazines or Nat Geo.

Also, since you are indicating the book is for scuba, snorkeling and surfing (surfing is even a common thing on GC???), why not try more of a montage or multi image approach representing those 3 activities? Just my 2 cents for what it’s worth...

Thanks for the feedback. You are right - surfing is not big on GC. You can surf in a couple of spots (very much depending on the conditions of the day), but the we use surfing as a catch-all for kite surfing and wind surfing also, which are both more more popular. Plus, our series is the dive, snorkel, surf travel series, and contains numerous locations where surfing is more important, like Florida. In order to change that, we would need to rebrand the entire series for the sake of one location, which doesn't make a lot of sense. Anyway, diving and snorkeling is more of the focus in our guides and we could certainly try a montage of the activities, but there's a strong chance that this will take away from the impact of the image. The only montage we have included in the options (#3) has so far received the lowest number of votes.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Ian Popple

Not sure when I will get back to Grand Cayman. I look forward to your guide, with whatever cover you decide on. I enjoyed the 3D renderings in your Cayman quiz threads. The model of Babylon is gorgeous East End dive site game ROUND 2

 

[Altamira]

David Doubilet's photos of Grand Cayman Stingrays for National Geographic are stunning but Stingray images have been used so often to advertise Cayman's attractions that I think they've been over-done.

View attachment 606727

@KathyV. Although not part of the OP's survey, thank you for posting that fantastic Doubilet photo of the
stingray at GC. I had not seen that photo before, and it is truly memorable.

 

[Ian Popple]

Hi @Ian Popple

Not sure when I will get back to Grand Cayman. I look forward to your guide, with whatever cover you decide on. I enjoyed the 3D renderings in your Cayman quiz threads. The model of Babylon is gorgeous East End dive site game ROUND 2

Thanks for the feedback scubadada.

 

[lowwall]

I don't like any of them. They are all kind of creepy. Like the cover of a bad thriller or poster of a worse movie. Drama is not what you want when considering dive options.

3 is the best of the lot, but the huge camera housing and strobe arms are really off-putting.

 

[tarponchik]

I am curious, why do the covers mention surf? You did not mention it in your brief abstract.

 

[Ian Popple]

I am curious, why do the covers mention surf? You did not mention it in your brief abstract.

Hi tarponchik. the Grand Cayman guide is part of our Dive, Snorkel and Surf travel series. As divers and snorkelers, we created this series to help people explore reefs and wrecks, but we also wanted to open this seris up to other users of the ocean, like surfers, windsurfers, and kite surfers (which is what we mean by "surf"). The series is designed to pick up at the water's edge, where most standard travel guides stop. While surf may not be that important in Cayman (there are only a few locations on Grand Cayman that we mention), the series includes other destinations, where "surf" is important, such as Florida and Barbados for example, and ultimately Hawaii in the future. Hope this helps clarify.

 

[caydiver]

Think the pics looks a bit dated as well and the turtle is gimmicky. Did the same team do the research on sites as the photography. Surprised they couldn’t get fantastic wall shots. They are all over the island on everything from guides to rack cards. Who is the intended audience. Newbies or regulars? CITA, DOT and DOE have incredible photos and info. Guy Harvey’s Marine Institute have shots that are surreal only in their complete brilliance! I guess out of the options the silversides is the best, however it too has been done often and is better without the photographer. I too would prefer the Rays over The Kittiwake. Both have been done many times but one is iconic and one is not. I totally agree with others that they seem from another decade and maybe more suited to a novel than marine enthusiasts. Just wouldn’t grab my attention at an airport kiosk under the things to do category. Sorry.

 

[Brett Hatch]

I think #3 is the best photo to use for the guide. As you've shown it here though, the white and yellow text is hard to read, and it looks busy.

As a whole cover, #1 is easiest to read, clearest, feels the least busy, and clearly divides the vertical space up into 3 legible and useful chunks.

So I voted for #1. But by employing some graphics design principles, I think #3 could be improved to make it the best cover.

 

[Ian Popple]

I think #3 is the best photo to use for the guide. As you've shown it here though, the white and yellow text is hard to read, and it looks busy.

As a whole cover, #1 is easiest to read, clearest, feels the least busy, and clearly divides the vertical space up into 3 legible and useful chunks.

So I voted for #1. But by employing some graphics design principles, I think #3 could be improved to make it the best cover.

Thanks Brett.