The Big Noob

Based on 1st place, I'd have to say both Jez Burrows and Matthew Chilton got robbed.

@Frank I disagree about Chilton, his cover was really dull. I'm actually amazed he even got third. It's just yellow with a crinkle effect and a road.

I do think Jez Burrows was robbed. The typewriter spewing out the road not only looks cool but makes sense given the story. I mean, Sal Paradise is a writer who goes on adventures across America and into Mexico. It makes perfect sense. The tumbleweed was just boring by comparison. I don't care if Jenna Jones thinks she found that "there was a lot more to Kerouac’s writing than just sex, drugs and rock and roll." That's what you read the book for. That's what you want. Don't ruin it, please.

I love that book. Probably the book to get hippies started on their path to hippydom.

hmm… before i even understood what was going on with the page as it loaded the burrows cover caught my eye…

well noone is blameless, but pengiun does great job i think

Yeah, the Burrows covers is sweet. The readability of the title suffers a bit due to the overlapping art though. But I don't think he (assuming Jez is a dude's name – I could be very wrong) will have any trouble finding a job.

The second prize looks very similar to an ad that BMW did, where you can draw the road with your mouse. I prefer the 1st prize because it stands out differently.

I disagree that this is robbery. I think the second place design is great. However, being a huge fan of this book I am partial to the winning design. I think the tumbleweed is a beautiful metaphor and I had a much stronger emotional connection with that cover. Again, second place is great too. I Just didn't connect as strongly with the concept.

@tom – I think that's the problem, though. You've read the book, as had the judges (I can only assume), and you connected that tumbleweed IDEA to the emotional experience you had reading the book.

The problem, I believe is that is only something that is reached/appreciated AFTER reading the book.

The cover needs to resonate with people that haven't yet read the book. They/we are seeing this book for the first time, and though the 2nd place implementation may be more literal and less poetic, it is the one that can reach a new generation of potential Kerouac readers.

Burrows' piece works to interest the viewer and draw them in.

@InLikeALion – Interesting points. I couldn't have put it any better myself. But does the cover need to resonate with new readers with such an American classic/masterpiece? While I'm not a Kerouac reader, I do think that a more sentimental cover might make the book more special to a fan, new or old. Surely the name is the marketing tool here, more so than the book design?

@Ryan – Your point is the counter to mine, and one that the publisher would have to weigh, when making the conscious decision about to whom they will market this printing.

However, I'd disagree that the name is the marketing tool. The name is what literally identifies the book, both in the mind of the existing fan, new prospective reader, and even the publisher and book-store stocking the book. I feel the aesthetics and design employed are what markets it.

With just the name, it could be anything. Imagine what both of these books' covers would look like: "On The Road – Elmo Learns to Drive!" or "On The Road – The Daddy-Mechanics' Guide to Family Vacations and Inevitable Break-downs." Both could be alternate scenarios given just the name.

@inLikeALion – I agree. Jez Burrows design doesn't not fully encompass the idea and philosophy around the book. His design suggests that the book is about writing a memoir while traveling. (The belt buckle is a typewriter I am assuming). Which, if you have read the book *which i am sure you have*, the story doesn't center around the actual writing of the memoir, but the experiences and life changes that Sal encounters on his wild trip across America.

The first place cover is by far the best pic for the novel. First of all, the book mostly takes place in the west/mid-west/south (tumbelweeds), and it also reminds me of darwin-esque drawing which I personally like. Not only are the words "on the road" fully visible (unlike Jez's), I feel that the tumbleweed grasps the idea of movement, tumbling along a path that is un-defined.

-mitch

@mitch – I think we actually disagree. Reread my post with the POV that Jez does more to visually interest the new reader. Unless this pressing is meant to be marketed as a revival keepsake for those who have already read the book, I don't think it's as effective at pulling in fresh audiences. On a bookstore shelf, I would have wanted to pick up Jez' piece. I probably would have overlooked Jones'.

And just for clarification, I actually haven't read the book.

Based on the following comment, I would have ranked Jones lower:

"Jack Kerouac’s On the Road has so often been illustrated using the stereotypical imagery associated with travelling through 1960s America"

Is she even aware that the story takes place in the 50's?

I'll agree that Jez was robbed. Though the real winner here is Penguin. They keep showing us all that they actually care about books rather than simply the business of selling them.

I thought this was going to be a post about penguin, the clothing brand. Dang.