Just had to write a quick post to say that:

I LOVE FEEDBACK!

The other night, I had about 3 cover/web designs (at various stages) going on at one time. One of my homeschool pals happened to be hanging out online in search of something to do, so I asked her to do an image search for me.

She did a really great job!

I gave her the product specs, and links to my favorite stock sites for image searchin’ – and from there… she went “in search of!”

She pulled some really awesome images. Almost the first one she pulled – was of a piggy bank on top of a book. The subject matter was how to publish your own book on a budget. My buddy Jen is ALL about budget – so when I saw that image – I bought it.

Then we went through a number of different images that she found, and I picked a mom reading to her child for the other image. Header didn’t come out as planned, but at least I had the idea down.

Here’s why I love feedback…

I sent an email with header attached – off to my client, KNOWING I wasn’t exactly sure if I liked it or not. When they replied back (client and co-client) – I got better ideas. They wanted to replace the mom and child image to better target their market.

This I understand.

Once I had a bit better idea of their target market – I found a different image for the right hand side of the header. Then spiffed up the background – and added a shape with a cool layer style to place the main title text on.

Then I tried the text in just a flat black – and wallah – looked much better than the first header. The second header is about 7 times better than the first – because I got some decent feedback . That helped me revise the header so that it looks a lot better.

Hmm – wondering if I should add the headers I’ve been working on  here, and if I do – they will be very small.

Ok, you want to see it – I know – and since you have no clue who my client is at this point – I guess it’s OK.

Here’s a look at my first draft header – BEFORE FEEDBACK:

Publishing Header For Unknown Client!

and here is a look at the #2…  revised header I created after feedback:

Publishing Header - version 2

BRB…

All right, sorry about that.  I’m BLOGGING, and I think I am in chat.

What a goofball!

Anyhow, hope you can see the difference in the headers shown above. As with any graphic jobs – sometimes I hit the first draft right off – other times I miss the mark.

It’s up to YOU as a client to say “hey – let’s change this image” or “can you add a different background” or “can you make the text stand out better?”

Know what I mean? When you look at your images sent by a graphic person, you want to be able to say YEP love it, or nope don’t like it. And be able to know why.

THEN – be able to relay all that to your designer. Communication that is key – the banter back and forth… that’s how you get a better set of graphics.

Hey, sometimes I hit it right on the first time around – which is  good for BOTH of us! That doesn’t always happen, but it does happen a lot of the time. I think that may be because clients don’t feel comfortable giving good feedback.

Either that or I’m just good.

Seems like every time I get good feedback – the graphics get better!  Just be mindful of your graphic person’s time on changes  of course. Folks like me juggle a lot of different hats at one time, and not just at “work!”

But I gotta say – nothing like great feedback to get better designs!

Thanks!
Michelle

All right, I have about 54+ other ebook covers to add on the portfolio page – but guess what. Wordpress is apparently DONE with that page. I can’t add any more images, and in fact – if it wasn’t for the “autosave revisions” I would have lost the whole stinking page that it took me nearly all day to build!

Guess my page is too long, so I’ll have to just start adding the other covers in POSTS instead of on a page. Guess you have probably seen enough covers on the portfolio page anyhow, but I had some REALLY GOOD ones left to post darnit!

Well, if you would like to get an ebook cover designed by ECoverFX – head to the Contact page, leave a comment here on the blog, email me – hit the helpdesk, check out the “scheduling” page – and I’ll be happy to give you a hand! Sorry the portfolio page is a bit “lacking” in my opinion (only because I wasn’t NEARLY done yet) – but whatever. I’ll have to figure it out later when I’ve had more than about 3 hours of sleep!

Thanks!
Michelle

Hello, and welcome to ECoverFX!

This website is currently owned by Michelle K. Brouse, and is in the process of begin recreated. I recently had over 30 sites that “went down” on a different server, so we’ve been rebuilding and moving a whole bunch of stuff.

Please bear with me as I get ECoverFX opened back up for business. It may take just a little while, but please feel free to stop back anytime. If you’re interested in what Michelle Brouse has been up to lately, hop on over to www.michellebrouse.com (another site that is being rebuilt)

It’s slightly overwhelming to have so much work to do on so many sites, so if you are looking for information about ebook covers, have a question, or need an ebook cover design created – please just leave a comment here on this website for now. I’ll get back to you within 12-24 hours.

Thanks!
Michelle