All right everyone, so today is kind of a big day for me and I'm excited to share a couple things with you about the cookbooks we've been working on--including what they'll actually be about! I've been really researching, testing and fine-tuning everything going into these books because I want them to be valuable for the people who read them--that's you. We're really getting there. So close! That said, I'd like your help with one of the very last parts: picking the cover style.
There are 3 books that I'll be putting out at the same time (drum roll, please):
Chris Loves Burgers
Chris Loves Wings
Chris Loves Tacos
We want them all to look like they belong to the same group, so while you'll be voting on which burger cover you like best today, the other two covers will be in a similar style. Make sense? We've worked with some very talented, professional designers to come up with a few cover options that we like, and we'd love to know which style you prefer. Here they are:
Now, I want you to drop any assumptions you might have from the titles, and don't be thinking these are only for men. They're definitely not. When Jules and I first started talking about me writing cookbooks, I knew I didn't want to just do a book of recipes. Don't get me wrong, these books have some rockin' recipes in them and I hope they're a great start for you, but I want people to feel comfortable cooking anything. I want you to be able to walk into your kitchen, open the pantry and make something awesome based on what you see. How liberating would that be? Each of these book is between 60 and 80 pages of beautiful photography and extremely easy-to-follow instruction and technique, designed to free you from recipes, not tie you to them. Knowing the basics of cooking techniques has made all the difference for me, and I hope to see it do the same for y'all.
Let us know which cover you prefer using the poll below. The winning cover will most likely be the design we use for all three of these first books (though we'll also be taking comments into consideration and may make changes to each design based on your feedback), and possibly more in the future. And once I have all the finishing touches made to the ebooks, you can expect to see them ready for download within the next couple weeks (fingers crossed).
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I liked #1 and #2 also but ended up voting for #2. I really do love both, though. I didn't love the "Burgers" font in #3 and when I saw #4 I immediately thought "YHL" (I'm not sure why, but it did, and you definitely want it to be your own!)
The cover layout and font from 1 with the photo from 3. Yum!!!
I think #1 looks like it would be good for a set with the different foods on a plate. BUT, I think the burger in that picture could be 'more'. The burger in #3 makes me want to grill right now. To me #2 looks like a magazine more than a cookbook.
I voted for #2 - love the title/font in that one -- but I have to say, the photo on #3 was great. If it were me, I would consider pairing those two. ;) Good luck!
I voted for #3 since it was the best burger photo but I didn't like the burger font.
With #1, it looks like the author is "Chris Loves". With #2 and #3, I like the connection to the blog header. With #4, the font is distracting to me.
I also think that the staging in #3 will do well with the other foods - the main treat is in the foreground with the rest of the meal in the background - hazy but still part of the meal. If the cookbook highlights the creation of the burger with appropriate sides, then this photo nails it.
To me, "burgers" means beef or bison. Otherwise, it's a "patty" or a "cake". The picture in #1 has a pale burger and the plate is being held such that the word "burger" in light color is hard to read with the bottom of the blue shirt and the top of the dark pants. The burger in #2 also doesn't look like a good beef burger and I don't equate lemons and a white sauce with a burger, unless it is a salmon cake/patty. #3 is a very appealing burger with the bacon and fried onion strings and there is some healthy looking green stuff in the background to make up for that burger. #4 looks like you are talking about cooking outside, which I don't do.
Good luck on choosing the final version.
i love the picture from 3. it makes me want to look inside the book!
I vote for the style of 2, with a different photo (one that is more quintessentially "burger" like the others). Good luck, Chris!!! How exciting.
I love number 1 because I feel like I am actively involved in the cookbook because he is handing the plate to me. The other covers show passive actions. Well done!!
I think you should decide how linked you want the blog and book to be. #2 clearly is the tightest connection and I think it's the easiest to read. That said, the blog is more "you" because it's usually your voice. If you want the cookbook to be "Chris" in a distinctive way you should choose different typography.
Beyond that element, for me the photos in #1 and #3 are the most appetizing, but if you are going to choose white text you should choose #3, as the lightness of #1 makes the text more difficult to read. Also, I feel like I already know how to cook a burger. Why do I need a whole book about burgers? Oh, it's because I never make burgers that look like #1 and #3.
Good luck! Can't wait to see where you shake out.
I like that number 1 has Chris in it. It makes it feel like there is an actual person behind the book and not just a faceless name (if that makes sense??). That being said I also like #2's font and #3's burger so I'd ideally hybrid the 3 of them :p
For me #1 and #2 is the best. Can I vote multiple time. Lol
I voted for option 1. The best impression for me. Cheer.
I love photo #3 but the font from # 1 or #2 would be much better. The lighter background is too distracting and takes away from the tasty burger. I really dislike photo #2 and the font on #4 is spaced out too much/ too thin. Can't wait to see the final product!! :)
So...I don't eat red meat but these photos are giving me cravings for a burger again! Ha. I saw a couple of comments about #2 looking like a chicken burger and that was my first thought as well! I'm keeping my fingers crossed there is actually a chicken burger recipe in there! ;) My favorite for a book cover is #1 because Chris is in the shot, it fits so well with the name "Chris loves burgers". But, I love the font from #2. Excited for the cook books!
There might be one poultry-based burger recipe in there. Or maybe four. ;)
All the covers convey something different. Here is what I see with each cover:
#1 say a burger can be sophisticated even for a dinner party with fancy white plates
#2 Burgers can be healthy
# 3 burgers can be comforting and lip smacking good
#4 Burgers are Simple and Easy
That is just what I see. I voted for #2 but all of those burgers look divine.
As a non-designer, just someone who very much needs to know these cooking tips, #1 stands faaar above the rest. The blue immediately drew my eye, and I like the font and spacing. The title literally reads right into the burger, if you know what I mean.
I also love that I can see your hands, it's more welcoming like "Hey, I got this juicy burger, now let me help you make one."
But probably the biggest reason why I love #1 is because it's a different perspective. I've seen a million stylized photos of food on a plate (including the super close ups), and so the other 3 blend in with the noise as "just another cookbook."
I prefer the design of #2, but the photography is lacking. You want the emphasis on whatever the book is about- burgers, wings, tacos, and whatever comes in the future- not on "Chris Loves", which some of the other designs lose. I do like the photos for 1 and 3 though, I'd try swapping some of the photos around and using the design style and making sure you have consistent branding though all of the books and whatever blog/site you use to promote this.
Echoing what everyone else said- the font and text formatting of #2 since it aligns with your "brand" and consistency is key when expanding (that's 100k worth of college as a marketing major summed up! Hahah) but I like the burger photo from #1 or #3 more. If you choose #3, though, I would lighten the background a little since it feels dark. Ok, now I'm being annoying. Good luck Chris! And congratulations on this huge accomplishment!!
I voted for #1 but I really like the photo of the burger in #3. #2 was my 2nd choice but I'm with the others tat it would be better with burger pic #3. I'm sooooo hungry for a good burger right now!
Oh, I love this! The photo for 3 is by far the most beautiful and intriguing food (my second choice would be 1, but that's because it looks like Chris is offering the plate which echoes the concept and title nicely). With 3, I'd vote for revamping the text to look like your blog header as seen in 2, which is super pretty and already familiar to your readership, thus helping tie this new venture back to your successful blog. I would tweak the word "burgers" a bit, though. And drop the horizontal lines around the text block in 2. Also, the descriptive phrase would be best served by breaking it up to emphasize "mastering the burger." Ex:
In-depth instructions, techniques and recipes for [next line]
MASTERING THE BURGER
So excited for you! I wish I was on the taste-testing team!
I think the font on #2 is by far the best. The food name (burgers/tacos/wings) should be biggest to differentiate the three. The title on #1 is too far separated (top and bottom). The title on #4 is too casual. And in #3 "Chris" is bigger than "burgers" which seems imbalanced.
Can't wait to read them...especially the taco one!
I like 1 with a different font for 'Chris loves' perhaps the font from #2. That sandwich in #2 looks delicious though! Yum! I agree not for the cover though because it doesn't read like a burger at first glance. There's something really cool about 4. Good job on all of these! :-) My husband would love this. I'll have to get one.
I really like #1 #2 and #4 - I voted for #4 because my eye kept being drawn to that. The only one I don't love is #3. How exciting, now I want a burger! :)
At first glance I liked #1 and #3. I voted #3 since I liked the overall look. I think the photo looks too flat in #2 but I agree with a lot of the other commenters that the font and text layout is best in that one. I do like the lighter background in #2 though, so maybe if you went with a different burger at a more angled shot so you can show of the juicy deliciousness. I always prefer a cookbook with more pictures to show off the food. Something has a look delicious first. :) Good Luck!
Okay... just my two cents :) I really like the style of #1 however I voted for #2 because even though #1 is a great layout for displaying burgers I just feel like a top down view of tacos and wings will look better than a side shot. It also allows for a bit more styling with the plate/garnish which I personally like and #2 is also a much lighter colored cover and that allows for more contrast. The only thing I would suggest to make #2 better would be to even out the text on the cover so it doesn't feel so top heavy. Maybe the sub-text could be at the bottom right or the "Written by"? Can't wait to see what you guys choose!
I think # 3 is the best looking Burger with #2 graphics
I love #4 so much. Please pick #4!! Why isn't anyone else voting for #4?? *sob*
I voted for #3 but still wanted to comment. All the photos are seriously incredible but I don't think the fonts on any of them is exactly right. I don't love the font used for "Burgers" on #3 but it is still a great cover overall.
I love your recipes on the blog because they talk about the techniques, so I think your approach in the books sounds great. Hot pan cold oil is totally burned into my brain, and I'm finally getting all clad frying pans for the first time, because someone finally explained this to me!
Awesome! Thanks Hannah, love the feedback and glad you're enjoying the tips. :)
I completely agree with this. I like the image on #3 the best because it really showcases the actually food the best. The fonts, however, don't quite seem right, especially the "burgers" part.
As a designer, here's my more detailed feedback: I voted for #4 because I like that typography best, but ironically it's my least favorite photo! The reason I like the typography is because it's simple and straightforward. The type on the other covers seemed too busy to me (I think because they use [what looks like] 3 or more different fonts/styles on each cover). I think if you simplified the type on #1 or #2, those covers would be my favorite (the photo on #2 is really drawing me in). #3 and #4 seem a little too dark, and #2 is bright and inviting.
Hope this makes sense and I apologize if it sounds critical, just wanted to offer some pro advice. Overall, these look amazing and I will definitely be buying the whole set when they are done!!
Not critical at all!!! So, so helpful.
Hi! I work for a major book publisher and I really like both covers 1 and 2. Are you aiming for a female or male audience? I think that cover 1 could reach both (the type and layout seem more sophisticated than 3 & 4), but cover 2 may be even more appealing to women as the burger looks much healthier (with lettuce in place of a bun). 1 and 2 are both very strong though!
I worked in college marketing for awhile. To me, this isn't even a contest-it's 100% #2. The photos are equally stunning in all 4 covers. I would have picked #4 since I know that Chris loves grilling (and has blogged about simplicity sometimes being better); however, the font is pretty hard to read and fights against the picture. #2 is the most crisp of the bunch! Congratulations for any cover that you choose--sounds like you've been working day and night for this book!
Love the feedback! Thanks Laura. :)
Well, now I know what I want for dinner tonight!
Agreeing with the others! #3 image is most mouthwatering (#2 looks like a salad at first glance and #4 just a meat patty, not a burger). I like the typography of #2 best but think #3 typography will look best as an ebook (though the words might need to be larger? and is the bottom font different? I can't quite pick it). Remember, most people will see the front cover as a small image on a screen, not a full-size book cover and I think the italics of #2 is hard to read when the image is small. I'm sure you've already done this, but have a browse around Amazon and look at the Kindle vs print covers, and get a feel for what stands out in that context.
Regardless of which one you choose, I like the continuity of 'Chris loves' with your blog branding - keep it consistent and build on what you already have!
I'm looking forward to seeing the final product. I have no doubt that so much work has gone into creating these and I'm excited to see what comes of it all!
Not a fan of the fonts used on 3 & 4. 1 & 2 ahve the best pictures though. So my vote is for #1 or #2, but with a differnt picture.
Meant #1 & #3 have best pictures :)
The blue shirt background of #1, the text of #2 and the burger of #3!
I agree, love number 2 fonts and that's it's s lighter cover
I voted 3 because the burger looks the best (and like a burger) but also the graphic design was eye catching. Though I thought 2 was a close second, the graphic design was great but the burger didn't look like a stereotypical burger (which maybe you want for your cover shot?)
Loving all the feedback! Thanks guys!
I love the font from number two the best, but the burger looks like chicken. Maybe moving that Chris loves burgers to picture three of four would work better.
Good input! Thanks so much, Jess.
I agree i like #2 the best but I think the burger should look like it does in #1 or #3!
its 9:00 where i am and I realllllllyyy want a burger!
Ooo! That's a good idea! I like the text and fonts from #2 best, but the photo in #3 makes me drool a little. I agree!
Same! Love the text and style from #2 with the burger from #3.
I agree! The photo in #3 is drool-worthy but I like the type treatment in #2 best. (I see more slaw in #2 than burger.) Great options!
I also agree -- Really like the style in book 2, but the burger in #3 has me feeling hungry!
I agree with Jess and as a Graphic Designer was going to say the same thing. I think you need to take the focus off of the lettuce and the burger needs to be in your face like the others, but the type treatment is great and the easiest to read. The others take too long to grasp that the title is "Chris loves burgers" because the wording is too spread out.
Or, you might try #1 with the wording together. The photo is great and so is the type treatment, but I don't like the distance in between Burgers and the rest of the title.
Chris: Your recipes are always on point! We just got a new built in grill - a Summerset - and I can't wait to gift your books to my dear husband who is really aiming to up his game on the grill. I can't wait to try the wing recipes! Yum! P.S. All of these are terrific, but I especially love the ones with the finished burgers on the cover.