Modern book jackets provide an excellent example of the use of computer graphics.
Until recently, this field was the exclusive domain of printers, and books were covered with little more than a stiff, drab piece of cardboard or leather. These covers started to come to life some time ago, and computer graphic artists gave them an added push. Today, publishers are very involved in these areas.
Book jackets may include interesting photographic, illustrative, or textual effects that draw attention to the book or to its contents.
Graphic artists thus have two distinct professions that are relating to the production of books:
Try to recall the last time you were in a bookstore. A large number of books were displayed on shelves and tables. They were all competing for your attention. How did you select which book to buy?
True, you may have been looking for a specific book, in which case the attractiveness of the cover did not matter.
However, you may have wanted something to read. You may have had a subject area in mind. A good book jacket, prepared by a skilled graphic artist, may have reached out to you - and it may have been the factor causing you to select that book rather than another.
For example, if a publisher wants to promote a Jewish book, then its cover might display easily identifiable Jewish symbols, such as a Star of David or a Menorah.
Even the best book cover is effective only if the books are stacked on tables. However, those books are often placed on shelves. As a result, the spine is another critical issue for selling the book. A customer who wants a Jewish book will be likely to select a book based on the noticeable Jewish symbol on its spine. As you may have guessed, the store owner is likely to stack books with effective covers on prime display areas such as tables, and to "hide" other books on shelves.
Of course, a representative Jewish symbol on the spine and on the cover is not sufficient. Today's graphic should feature an attractive look, such as a Jewish star with two twisted triangles inside each other. A burning Star of David might suggest crises or tragedies. The imagination and creativity of the graphic artist may determine how many copies of the book will be sold.
The book jacket increases in importance with the popularity of the Internet. Websites of online bookstores display a digitized picture of the book jacket, and the work of the graphic artist is displayed to the world. It can make the difference between just another book - and a best-seller.
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How has the computer made the job of the book jacket designer more profitable, exciting, and effective?
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