This isn’t really a rant against stock photography nor a critique on a particular style of book cover design — it’s just something I’ve been noticing. We all know the perils & pitfalls and yes, the advantages, of instant stock imagery but in the long run, perhaps it’s best to have your own unique, original imagery and if you can’t afford that then a really good designer. The same can be applied to brand building and the layers of meaning attached to a logo or a product. Visual positioning is essential for brands and, let’s be honest here, we do judge books by their covers, don’t we?

In most cases the image on the right is the most recent version. Thank to the internet for all sourced imagery.

Flipping the image — no one would notice, would they?

At least there was a little color adjustment going on here.

The transparent overlay of skyscraper and clouds really didn’t ‘cover’ this.

It’s all a bit grotty 70′s motel, but at least Peter Handke’s original story DID come out in 1974.

No comment.

Adding illustration, flipping the image and increasing color saturation helps, but it’s not really new, is it? Even the titles are in the same place.

Apparently these two almost identical books came out barely a month apart.

An ever-so-slight color adjustment made here.

These two even kept the same sepia tone.

OK, we get it.

For those that need a palette cleanser, visit “The Book Cover Archive” and Surrounded by Colours, “Polish Book Covers.”

Branding is creating distinction, and there’s a point in a branding exercise when a company’s unique personality traits are devised. It’s as if a human being is being built—a living, breathing brand. It’s a part of the process I particularly enjoy.

While flipping through photos I’ve shot in various cities, I was drawn to images of Rome—specifically the distinctive storefront signage so abundant there. You see, I love cities. They’re the result of a massive collective endeavor, with their own unique complexities, histories and discoveries. Cities are rich in detail and no two are alike.

I was struck by the thought of how a city attains its personality without even trying. It just happens with time. In the case of Rome, its signage creates a singularly distinct and beautiful voice. I wonder how Romans would characterize their city.

As a designer, I’m drawn to this sort of detail. And I love typography. I haven’t seen anything else quite like it—in Italy or any other place.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but music says what words can’t. In the world of branding, where visuals and messages are engineered to jump out and grab your attention, it’s the one thing that (if done right) goes unnoticed—at least at a conscious level. Then, how important is music to a brand if it goes by without recognition? It can make the difference between simply looking at a picture and actually feeling emotionally connected to what that image evokes in your mind and heart. And isn’t that what brands ultimately want to do? They want to share memorable stories that move, motivate, persuade or inspire. To do so effectively, brands need to engage their audiences at an emotional level. And to make this connection, brands can utilize a powerful tool—one that has crossed every divide since human existence: music.

Music, though, is a delicate animal. Mishandled, it can very easily turn what had the potential to be a great message into an emetic. A good strategy for composing music for a brand is subtlety. Music enhances and enriches the brand voice and message, rather than drowns them out. When composing music for a brand, you need the right instrumentation to express its personality and spirit and to advance the narrative. The composition needs to have an underlying theme of which the various groups of instruments can play off in ways that draw in and captivate your audience. Think of how John Williams varied the theme throughout Jurassic Park to fit the mood on screen.

The most important thing about creating music for a brand is that you think about how you use it to bring your brand to life. If you do, you can make a real and lasting emotional connection that wins your audiences’ hearts and minds. If you have any doubts, take it from Conan.