I think this book has a pretty cool cover:
http://www.amazon.com/Undertaking-Life-Studies-Dismal-Trade/dp/0140276238/sr=8-1/qid=1161372977/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5234661-2976009?ie=UTF8

Nice visual-verbal link. I'm interested to see other people's favorites.

Maybe this isn't the same kind of thing b/c yours and Michaels seemed to be similar in concept, but I thought this was a cohesive design for the subject matter.
You can check it out at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595540857/ref=wl_itt_dp/102-5252768-3511325?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1FF8H0OM1CNF3&colid=37FMOK516H4RE

I s'pose I must disagree. I highly dislike gimmicky approaches like the above. Reminds me of the popup ads that look like Windows prompts.

I must strongly disagree with "Brade". First off, comparing the above design to a windows popup ad, is not only degrading to the apple brand and the very essence of disparity between the windows and macintosh world, but it supposes a windows popup ad is on the same level of design as the apple ipod. I was under the impression even a windows-ninny could admit style when they saw it.

If this comes across harsh, I must blame the disbelief currently facing me, for I believe even bill gates himself would not dare compare the sleek, elegant, chic, minimally awesome design of the ipod with anything windows—much less a popup ad!

I still love you all.... and maybe the name calling was inappropriate; it's just my mind is still reeling from the comment posted.

Yeah, I was talking about using an already established concept (i.e. the ipod design) as a book cover. It doesn't require much design skill to borrow an existing design and apply it to something else. I have nothing in particular against the ipod design itself.

How could we pass up Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers? Very plain, but so to the point cover. Btw - I HIGHLY recommend this book. It will have you bawling with laughter.
http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Curious-Lives-Human-Cadavers/dp/0393324826/sr=8-1/qid=1161730724/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1229088-9877647?ie=UTF8&s=books

Then there was a book I saw in Barnes&Noble a few days ago that caused me to weep openly. The photo on Amazon doesn't do the art on the cover justice. It's an etching and the cover itself is beveled. Find it at a bookstore and see for yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/There-Dragons-Chronicles-Imaginarium-Geographica/dp/1416912274/sr=1-2/qid=1161730878/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-1229088-9877647?ie=UTF8&s=books

btw, TJ, Brade wasn't visually comparing the ipod to a windows popup.

Dave,

It was the windows-ninny comment that made you correct me isnt' it? I'm sorry, I didn't know you read this post or I may have been a bit harsher. ;) Okay, just kidding.

Anyway, I realize Brade wasn't exactly comparing designs, more the concept comparison....however its still too close to "holy-ground" to forego a small verbal flogging; even if in the end it was only half-way meant to be serious.

BTW: the "Stiff" cover you mentioned is great. Good eye.

Brade,

In a design like the one Micah posted, it's not the originality (or as you're saying the lack of) that makes it great, it's the almost spiritual essence that the cover creates when connecting with the current culture. The ipod already has a repuation, a national vibe and a cult following. By combining the ipod design with another concept, it helps catapult the book, and it's ideas, into the arena of "relation communication" with the very market you are trying to reach; This makes it easily digestible in a cluttered, in-your-face market; and it does it in a quick and highly effective fashion.

On the flip side, I would have to agree with you that seeing this in the form of a windows pop up ad would create a certain "design dissidence" and gimmicky feel, but that's in large part b/c it's microsoft; And imitation never looks as good as the real thing.

TJ, I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on cultural connections. I think, at heart, I'm an English Major, but Graphic Design apeals to me because it is all about communication.

beware the ninny comments. I think you would agree it takes more courage to use Windows than to use OSX. ;) Maybe you should say "masochist" in place of "ninny."

wow. we've got quite the convo in the comments over here, huh!
anyways, loved the cover, as well as the one that michael c. posted. awesome awesome stuff.

love ya micah.
: )

Thanks Guys,

Michael - Sweet cover. Exactly what I was talking about.

TJ- Thanks for being my bull dog.

David - Very cool “Stiff” Cover. Again, right on.

Brade - Thanks for your comments. I think you missed my point though. It’s all about the concept. Using an original or well excepted design concept to communicate a similar idea is used often in great design. Michael and David’s examples were right on.

For example, this is how the cover could have been done. The artist could have used a photograph of lot’s of people using ipods. But instead the book IS an ipod. Michael’s example is another one (and David’s too). There could have been a picture of a business man handing another business man his card. Instead there is a card with the title of the book printed on it. It is my belief, that when applicable, this can be a more dynamic way of communicating an idea. Perhaps you thought this was not one of those applicable cases. That’s fine. I guess we are allowed to disagree. :) I appreciate your thoughts.

Esther - I Love you too. :)

Keep posting more! I would love to see more great examples.

i know i am no guru in design or anything, but i dont mind the cover, it just makes me say, oh cool its an ipod. nothing too striking or special about it, but it gets the idea accross i guess

whew...i would love to see that book design with a photograph of people using ipods. what fun you could have with that. wow i'd love it. i think i would love it much more than the ipod itself. seriously. thats would be really really cool. really cool.

jon...yeah you aren't a guru...*ahem*
: )

what do you know esther, nothing really. go play your piano or something

micah, you're right, I'm sure it's very effective communication. But when it comes to my preferences for book covers, originality wins the day.

In any event, I've been entertained by the comments.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0805432922?tag=dietofbookwor-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0805432922&adid=12N22VE62GBZV59GHFFH&

Theres one.

I just thought that David Siglin might like to see this:

http://pics.livejournal.com/coppervale/pic/000231tx/g4

Best,

James

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