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 Kidd is a very known American graphic designer, author, editor & best known for his amazing book covers. He was born September 12th, 1964 in PA, and grew up with strong American influence. He chose his career path as he succeeded in his design classes at Penn State. He currently stands as an art director at Knopf and has been since 1986. His covers have been explained to be, "creepy, striking, sly, smart, unpredictable covers that make readers appreciate books as objects of art as well as literature."

"Chip Kidd is the closest thing to a rock star in graphic design today!"    -USA Today

Mr. Kidd is very important to us because he can teach us a lot. He produces over 75 book covers a year and does so with such creativity and exquisite results. Being known as "the world's greatest book cover designers" stands for something! We can study his covers and analyze why they work. This will aid our process. Though he is extremely important in the designing business, he also dabbles with music, and is fascinated with comics. 

Check it out! 

John Gall- Born in 1963 in New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University and brought a new and inventive style as he became the Vice President and Art Director for Vintage & Anchor books. 

He know serves as another art director and Knopf and designs book covers! 

"Gall’s stylish sensibility, simple but elegant use of typography and quietly rebellious spirit infuse these literary works with an added dimension. Subtle and compelling, his covers play with the perceptions of the viewer in unexpected ways, and to satisfying effect."

"Maintaining distinction was a matter of form for independent book publishers, expressed both through editorial choices and graphics. With formerly independent publishers reduced to imprints within much larger corporate entities, uniqueness is all the more difficult to achieve." 

To Mr. Gall a great book cover is: "A really great cover is going to convey the essence of the book in a unique and surprising way that maybe pushes the design envelope a bit. It might even add to and enhance the editorial content of the book. A cover that is seen and respected by other designers is a good thing too, I guess, but the mission is really to allow the book to make a great first impression."

Cool video about John! 

(( Gives tips about designing book-cover!)) 

To me, a book cover is something that automatically intrigue you. It makes you WANT to pick it up and investigate. I am one to get distracted quite easily so, I need something that will captivate me. It also should conjure an emotion, while evoking  a thought process. It should utilize typography and images in a specific manor and create a feel for the book. I tend to be attracted to books that make me go "wait, what?" They use the type either very simply and the book remains simple, or the type and images make me think.  I'm all about humor as well! 

EXAMPLES: 

What grabbed my attention in many of these was the imagery. The use of common actors, automatic relations with comedy is presented. Also the use of an eye is a connotation with beauty and that was made before the text was read.  The big bold type used and the choice of color is very attractive. Also, at first glance you notice one thing but as you investigate further and further you realize other meanings. That is very important to me. Gives more depth to the cover. The use of photographs really hits home as well as the drawings because it makes it seem more present.