4 ms·

I'm sure this book is fantastic but please, please ask someone (maybe some design students, they always need good, live briefs) to design you a better cover if

I'm sure this book is fantastic but please, please ask someone (maybe some design students, they always need good, live briefs) to design you a better cover if you're writing an open access book like this. It might be the distant graphic designer in me but it helps to have something at least bit prettier to draw people in.

ZenoArrow 10y ago
If someone needs a cover to draw them in then the chances are the book isn't for them. Books like this require effort from the reader in order to internalise the information contained within the book, even if the cover is prettier that's not going to be enough to provide motivation to get through the book.
- jrockway 10y ago
  You only need someone to buy your book, you don't need them to read it ;)
- cvigoe 10y ago
  You could extend that argument about aesthetic design to any application though, but I think that may be framing it in the wrong way. It's (usually) not much extra effort to, say, choose a nice font or use a pleasing colour scheme. I don't think good aesthetic design should be reserved for the masses or recreational media. Good aesthetic design isn't "beneath" anything; I don't see a reason to justify bad aesthetic design in educational or instructional resources.
  - ZenoArrow 10y ago
    > "Good aesthetic design isn't "beneath" anything" I didn't say it was, however if I'm picking up a technical book I'm not fussed what the cover looks like, because I'm already motivated to learn the information contained in the book. It's best if that motivation to learn exists before someone picks up a technical book. If it doesn't the chances of getting through the book are slim to none, regardless of what the cover looks like.
obeattie 10y ago
I imagine what is considered an "enticing" cover for a book aimed at scientists and engineers has changed a bit between 1997 (when this was published) and now.

ZenoArrow 10y ago

If someone needs a cover to draw them in then the chances are the book isn't for them. Books like this require effort from the reader in order to internalise the information contained within the book, even if the cover is prettier that's not going to be enough to provide motivation to get through the book.

jrockway 10y ago
You only need someone to buy your book, you don't need them to read it ;)
cvigoe 10y ago
You could extend that argument about aesthetic design to any application though, but I think that may be framing it in the wrong way. It's (usually) not much extra effort to, say, choose a nice font or use a pleasing colour scheme. I don't think good aesthetic design should be reserved for the masses or recreational media. Good aesthetic design isn't "beneath" anything; I don't see a reason to justify bad aesthetic design in educational or instructional resources.
- ZenoArrow 10y ago
  > "Good aesthetic design isn't "beneath" anything" I didn't say it was, however if I'm picking up a technical book I'm not fussed what the cover looks like, because I'm already motivated to learn the information contained in the book. It's best if that motivation to learn exists before someone picks up a technical book. If it doesn't the chances of getting through the book are slim to none, regardless of what the cover looks like.

obeattie 10y ago

I imagine what is considered an "enticing" cover for a book aimed at scientists and engineers has changed a bit between 1997 (when this was published) and now.