Art students put to work. For real
A marketer is on the verge of publishing her first book and is agonising about her cover. Most would let the publisher - the experts in all this - take the lead. You'd trust them. If the book didn't sell it would be the cover's fault, and therefore the publisher's fault. Not Tara Hunt.
I met Tara a few years ago in Paris in a rather swanky rooftop bar, and ever since have kept an eye on what she's up to. Seeing this post on her blog made me smile, since it shows how a mixture of ambient intimacy in the form of a Twitter post, a publishing space with a large appeal and an ingenious teacher-facilitator led to a whole group of art students putting their ideas forward to Tara as legitimate potential covers for her book - click the links in this long Flickr comments section. To say she was overwhelmed would be an understatement.
What I love about this is the real brief, against a short deadline, with the slightest chance that your cover design could make it, and be displayed around the world and on Amazon.
The let down in this story? I think the publishers have gone for another design, by Cindy Li, a pro designer who also jumped to the call for action from the original Twitter message. Next time, guys, next time...

Hi. Just found your blog on Technorati
Love your posts great mixture of interesting and thought provoking items. Will be coming back for regular updates.
Great job
Posted by: Tracey Dean AKA rattytatty | April 09, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Students can create some amazing artwork. I was always impressed as a sixth grade teacher by the talent of some of my students. I hope the publishers have a change of heart.
Posted by: Betty | April 09, 2008 at 04:19 PM