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...

Comments

[Tracey Dean AKA rattytatty]

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

[Betty]

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.