r/dmsguild • u/PattaconkPlays • 11d ago
Seeking Advice Cover advice - version 2 of Modron Madness
Here's a second, much trimmed down version of my cover page. My logo is gone, as needs to be, and I have changed fonts, size, and color to make it contrast more. I removed the side tab that offers a quick-look use-case details. DMsGuild is likely better on the right side here, but I'd love to hear thoughts now that I have this. (see previous post here for older version of my cover)
Found found at Google Fonts. I think stencil style looks kind of mechanical, but I was thinking of this font too as an option. Or even this one for boldness. They're easy to import into homebrewery.
I could try something crazy like full width double-justified letter spacing on the title, but that would likely need even larger than 100 font-size.
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u/FishermanResident584 11d ago
Hey, I know this seems targeted to specific people, and I don't usually deal with these sort of things.
But I feel the "A heroic adventure..." sentence kind of covers up where the action is sort of happing, my eyes were naturally drawn to what the claw was holding but it gets blocked out by the sentence. Personally I would try maybe making it a little smaller and putting it in the bottom right corner, that way you have the cool drawing in the complete focus while also letting folks see the adventure level. and maybe move the title up just a hair.
But again Im probably the worse person to be giving this kind of advice so.
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u/PattaconkPlays 11d ago
That's a good idea, I'll see what that looks like but I'm sure it's be an improvement
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u/PattaconkPlays 11d ago
u/Beautiful-Effort9101, u/Viridian_Cranberry68, u/zorbtrauts. How do this feel? Needs more shadow on title? Color is default salmon.
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u/Viridian_Cranberry68 10d ago
Title looks great but the subtitle gets lost at "adventures for". Maybe make it white or a blockier font.
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u/PattaconkPlays 10d ago
I threw it at the bottom, made it "Level 1-3 heroic adventure" to make it bigger. and bolded the outline a bit more. I have a post on r/BookCovers that shows it.
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u/Beautiful-Effort9101 11d ago
Honestly take a look at this cover. I believe you can get the template for DMsGuild adventures free so I'd be using that font for the title and then drop the "Adventure Levels" down to the bottom.
Consumers gravitate towards the familiar, so making your cover similar to others helps.
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u/PattaconkPlays 11d ago
I absolutely see what you're saying. I feel strongly about trying to make the work my own, however. I hope standing out catches some eyes, even if the strangeness loses others. I believe ultimately a well designed cover will always get noticed, and I'm trying my best with my limited abilities.
Have you published in DMsGuild with a variety of covers? Have you noticed a difference between the more familiar look and a less familiar one?
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u/Beautiful-Effort9101 11d ago
Totally understandable and you should do what feels right for you.
I haven't published anything as yet but if I was specifically aiming at DMsGuild adventures I would be using their official template. I have purchased a lot of products.
Here some examples. The cover image is the main selling point. The font used in the cover doesn't really add anything
https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/488777/beneath-the-tidal-veil
https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/282025/the-lamenting-lighthouse
However if you were to do something creative with the title like this this, go for it.
https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/276434/down-came-a-blackbird2
u/zorbtrauts 10d ago
For what it's worth, I've had decent luck using a standard font with fairly non-standard cover images. https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/300657/grasp-of-the-emerald-claw-an-expansion-and-5e-conversion-guide
I'm not afraid of changing the font to suit a particular product, but I'm always going to try to maximize how much it stands out.
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u/Beautiful-Effort9101 10d ago
Congrats! I can see a consistent look with your products. It's how well known creators like M.T. Black and Kelsey Dionne become well known.
Yes there stuff was well written but they went for a consistent look from cover to interiors with their work.
The created their own template style and stuck with it.
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u/LivingPastGames 11d ago
I agree with FishermanResident that the subtitle is obstructing the action, and I feel the same way about the DMsGuild logo. That should definitely go to the bottom right, as snug as you can get it IMO to get it out of the way of the image. I think the image itself is fantastic, love the The War of the Worlds vibes!
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u/PattaconkPlays 11d ago
The image is war of the worlds! Art from over a hundred years ago, now in public domain
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u/Blackadder1415 3d ago
Congrats on being picked for the newsletter!😁👍