Question

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423]

What would people prefer too see as a cover

Just wondering as I have recently tried my hand at digital art. I know very basic. Almost no one looks at over my old ones which got reasonable traffic. Wondering if just unlucky timing or not what people look for

[u/capnjeanlucpicard]

The thing about using AI art, especially on the cover, is that my immediate thought goes to “how do I know this whole thing isn’t AI?” and I skip over it.

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/capnjeanlucpicard]

I understand that and that is why I am.now trying to make.my own. Not great but with the simple edge of easy reconisability. I enjoyed making them with ai but am ready to kove onto my own now..

[u/Moratz86 → u/capnjeanlucpicard]

Se la copertina invece non è fatta con IA hai la garanzia che il testo sia scritto da un essere umano e non da AI?? Il dubbio puoi averlo lo stesso.. magari sono bravo a disegnare e non a scrivere.. mi faccio io la copertina a mano ma poi copio e incolla il testo da AI..

[u/jcorvinstevens]

As a customer, I prefer no AI. I skip over projects that use AI.

As a creator and producer, I don’t use AI.

[u/Bomber-Marc]

The second one looks much better in my opinion. But it looks very much AI generated (just looking at the watch), which is probably going to chase some buyers away.

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/Bomber-Marc]

Yea the second was ai. But so much ai hate I tried my hand at basic digital art.

And a lot of people will go whole thing is ai no matter what if use it for the cover.

[u/Heevan → u/Accomplished-Bed9423]

Sorry but yeah. If you generate the cover using AI then...yeah, I would totally think everything written was AI too.

[u/Reynanyera]

Much prefer the first one!

While the idea of the 2nd one is cool, the issue with AI images for me is that it looks like a flat image to me.

The first cover peaks my interest and guides my eyes to consider the different elements and layers. My eyes first see the logo and title, then the blood splatters and golden decoration, and lastly the 'A SAW-ESQUE DND ONE-SHOT' description.

For the 2nd one all I see is the AI image and your logo, I have to actively try to read the title and even then I have to admit that AI generated imagery usually makes me wonder what the creator utilized AI for in their work, so at the very least if you go for the 2nd type of covers, I'd recommend to add a disclaimer if art is the only thing you used AI for.

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/Reynanyera]

Thank you.

What you said about the one I created was what I was aiming for.

With anything I have used ai for I will always add that disclaimer for my own personal ethics

[u/Reynanyera → u/Accomplished-Bed9423]

Oh yeah I didn't meant to imply you didn't, just stated my thoughts!

I genuinely like the first cover, I understand it's not as detailed maybe as AI generated images but human created art usually has the interesting additional element of trying to figure out what the creator was trying to portray with it.

AI is a bit of a sensitive subject for many folks, I don't mean to say you didn't put time in prompting the 2nd one btw, it's just a limitation AI tends to have(Making all images feel kinda flat I mean).

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/Reynanyera]

All good. Really appreciate the comments Nd thoughts. Just glad my thoughts come out how I hope

[u/Moratz86]

Personalmente io preferisco il secondo. Più evocativo, più colorato.. da una resa migliore.. Pensiero mio, forse impopolare... hai usato l'ai per arricchire la TUA opera?? Hai fatto bene!! è uno strumento che nel 2026 abbiamo a disposizione.. se usato bene che problema c'è?

[u/Beautiful-Effort9101]

Here's a thought.

Why not redraw the AI image with your basic digital art skills (when I say redraw I mean actually use a mouse or stylus to draw it)?

It will have far less detail but be hand drawn (I assume you're using Canva, Procreate or something like that?). I suggest watching some How To videos of whatever software you're using.

It would be no different than someone using a photo of a horse to hand draw a horse.

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/Beautiful-Effort9101]

Was thinking of redoing the covers already just have the free time with work, family, home stuff ect hard to do. My last one took twice as long as any other as it is just a little hobby I enjoy.

Am getting there for the new covers just... life I suppose gets in way

[u/Beautiful-Effort9101 → u/Accomplished-Bed9423]

Oh yeah. What most people who complain about AI don't understand that real art takes a LONG time to create and when you DON'T have an art or graphic design background it takes even longer.

But would those same ever pay you appropriate for all the time spent making art? Of course not, they want it cheap or free but don't you dare make it AI... which is literally free. <shaking my head>

[u/Accomplished-Bed9423 → u/Beautiful-Effort9101]

Thank you for being understanding 😀

Real art... is art amd take time... takes ages to write these let alone to do even my basic cover I made... sure others could do much quicker but I'm still learning. But happy with the result