Dear all, I need your feedback, and I’ll likely ask you another 10 times too until I get this right! How do you feel about this book cover design? Is it boring, sterile, not nostalgic enough, is it modern with a little hint of vintage thrown in? (I’ve used Gill Sans font used in the 1940s and a modern, fun retro font too) Would it stand out on a bookshelf among other recipe books? (I don’t want it to look like many of the others.) Do you like or dislike it? Do you have an idea? I need to know how it makes you feel (please), and I will not be offended, so please be brutally honest! >>> Thank you xx
For new readers: I quit my job, and I’m taking a leap of faith to self-publish a recipe book in 3 months as a personal growth project (and because I’ve always wanted to so badly). But I also want to create everything around it to from the design to marketing, socials and ecommerce (as well as the baking, photography and writing) as for me this is also all about learning and acquiring new skills too.
Waitlist for my book is here: https://the1940sexperiment.com/ration-book-recipes-new-book/
I’ve enclosed some front covers of a selection of best-selling recipe books on Amazon below for reference. Thank you so much, C xxxx
I like the second one best but would like the little circular wartime recipes on it. I wonder if there is a little wartime character like Potato Pete that you could design. Good luck. I’m nowhere near the best person to judge really. I’ll ask my husband as he works in graphic design. Sx I always like the Pinch of Nom covers
Love your thoughts Sarah, do appreciate this! I will likely go through several versions that are all quite different before deciding. Thanks so much indeed!!! Very helpful! C xxxx
Hi Carolyn, I never judge a book by its cover but I think they are both great. If I had to choose I’d pick cover 1 as the little badge is cute. Looking forward so much to receiving my own copy. Good luck love. Babs
Thank you so much Babs, I am hearing that people like the little badge! This is really helpful, thank you xxxx
I like #1 except the font is too light. The font on #2 is dark enough to read.
Thank you so much, I agree about the weight of the font in version 1 – fab! Thanks so much xxxx
I agree that the font is too insubstantial on #1
Hi Carolyn, I like the fonts. I find #1 too busy with the logo, and prefer #2 as it’s less busy. I am not excited about the color. But I don’t pay that much attention to the design. I look more at titles. Good luck with this!! I’m very excited to get my copy!! xx
Love this feedback Maggie, this is really helpful. I will be trying variations of colours and different designs over the coming weeks so and hopefully getting a really good feel for what people think. Thanks again, I do appreciate it xxx C
The badge on 1 is cute, but I prefer the bolder font on the bottom of 2. In case having both the badge and the bolder font on the same cover is too busy, I choose 2.
Perfect! Thank you! I’ve added the badge to version 2 which is now version 3 to see what people think. If I don’t use the badge on the front I am going to use the badge on the back with some quotes and info…. thanks so much Sara! C xxx
Definitely no. 3 when I saw it, but before that it would’ve been no. 2!
Thank you so much Dawn, fantastic! xxxx C
I like the #1 cover best
Thanks Debbi xxxx
Maybe too much work or too much money…..but I identify with you from a picture long ago where you had on 1940s clothing and a 1940s hairstyle. It would be cute if you had the hairstyle and clothes cooking in a 1940s kitchen (Corrugated Cottage) on the cover. Maybe different outfits for book 1 and book 2, or a stove top cooking for one and an oven baking for the other.
Personally, your cookbooks will go on my nightstand with a lot of Post It flags marking recipes to try, rather than on a shelf with other cookbooks.
That would be the dream, I’d love a vintage kitchen or to go back to the Corrugated Cottage for some photos but time and money for sure! I am however going to really try and give this book a nice vintage feel inside with the photography (and vintage props) and additions to the pages plus some photos wearing my vintage pinny etc… thanks so much for this DJ! xxxx C
If I am honest, I find the green on green difficult. I love the fonts and the badge and the pie, but for me, the cover just doesn’t stand out because the colour contrast feels off. I have dyscalculia and CVI so I can’t tell the tree designs apart because of the lack of colour contrast. Gut feeling that so many vintage lovers are neurodiverse that this might be something that isn’t just me.
I really love these helpful comments and that is so important when making designs more accessible to all people. Really appreciate this, thank you xxxx
I was just wondering why the green on green wasn’t ‘hitting’ as well as it could. I think you hit the nail on the head! The cream background really works very well.
I really like 3.
Thanks for your feedback Kim xxx
I am attracted to the 1st one with a picture collection of recipes plus one of the author, and the title in the center. I agree with DJ about the 1940s clothing, hairstyle and a 1940s kitchen.
Thanks Sue, all the feedback today had given me so many new things to think about, love it, thank you xxx C
I like number three the best. I think the color reminds me of something from the past. I love the darker lettering and the badge is perfect!
I’m so happy the badge has been well received as I designed it and would love to use it. I know the general design will change and the feedback has been so helpful, thank you xxx
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Thanks Katrina xx
I work in a field that requires a fair amount of graphic design. The only advice I want to give is to make sure you have enough contrast for all of your content, including your cover (#1 does not have enough). There is a free tool that might help you which I can’t find now but you can use this one – https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/. It’s free as well but it’s not an app.
Oooo that is so very helpful, I’ll use that when trying out different ideas, thank you so much xxx
Here’s my take: I prefer #4 with the light-colored background. I find it easier to read. Of the green backgrounds, I find #2 the most comfortable to read. Now to qualify what I’ve said, I’m 73; I’ve had cataract surgery and some retinal damage in the left eye.
Thanks so much Judy, I’d like to make sure the book as easy to read for people and that includes the front and back cover so I do find your comment really helpful. Thank you so much xxx
I must admit I like a cookbook with more pictures of food on it’s cover.
Thanks so much Marilyn… watch out for a few new cover styles in a few weeks time. Xxx
I think #3 stands out to me.
Thank you, I think the bolder font at the bottom is clearer, thanks xxx
Not the last 3 designs for me, could be because of the dyslexia or spectrum tendency.
Could you also consider a dyslexic friendly type book if its possible.
Off white paper double spacing of lies etc. It is already thing, honestly. It just makes reading anything so much easier.
Good luck and have fun, im enjoying reading your journey.
Thanks Sonia, yes I’m going to do my best with the fonts, spacing and paper colours inside the book to try and make it accessible to more people, that is so important so I really appreciate your thoughts, thanks xxx
I find number two is easier on the eye, but take the ‘Ration Book Recipes’ splash and add that in the same place on cover two as well. It’s looking great though! xXx
Thank you for your feeeback xxx c
Hi C, I like number 3, the logo and font stand out better. But the design I feel needs to be wartime not modern, can’t think of any which had actual photos of meals on the cover, most as I recall have drawings of stuff if anything. Unless of course you are aiming for a modern version of wartime recipes, depends what you think your goal is for the book? But loving what you doing, can’t wait to see final version, good luck, Regards Richard
Thanks so much Richard and I love your thoughts! I am very much testing the water here and taking on feedback so this is brilliant, thank you for sharing your honest thoughts! Xxx Look out for the next batch of designs in a few weeks xxx
I’d vote number 3. I did reply before saying what I would chose but it isn’t showing. In my email, I only saw the pictures for #1 and #2, which is why I gave the previous answer that I did. Sorry! xXx
No. 3 for me Carolyn. So many decisions to be made. It’s lovely to be a part of it in some small way, thank you. Hope you are feeling better. June xx
Thanks for letting me know your preference June xxxx
I think the cover needs to be brighter with larger writing that really stands out and a couple more food photos as well
Lovely, great feedback, this is so helpful xxx C
No 4 is the easiest to read but where’s the WW2 connection ? With no obvious WW2 logos such as V for victory, Potato Pete, Union Jack, etc it’s not obviously a “special” recipe book – or is this a question of legalities such as copyright rules ?
Really good thoughts, I have yet to look into usage of MOF posters, pamphlets, images etc and if this is something I get permission to use there will be some nostalgia in the mix, I really love your thoughts on the wartime connection, this definitely needs to be stronger 100% thanks xxxx
Hello,
I like both designs. I think they would both work fine. Of these two, I like the number 2 book cover the best because I don’t think that you need the circle with the Ration Book Recipes in it.
I have a ration recipe book, but it doesn’t give me a filling that I could really use it in a practical way, which I absolutely could. But it doesn’t inspire me that way. So, I was thinking that a picture of a modern family would communicate that the recipes are something that today’s family could use daily.
As a history buff, I do like the cover art of old books with that old font. I was also thinking about an image of a modern family so people could visualize making these meals for their own families. Just to give you another idea to kick around, here is what Microsoft Copilot came up with and I added a picture:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C5bIBYxo3Ew6MAKWSL6bf72J0gnBX3pc/view?usp=sharing
Image Link: https://tinyurl.com/48m67a2z
Another Great Resource:
Eating for Victory: Healthy home front cooking on war rations
https://www.amazon.com/Eating-Victory-Healthy-Cooking-Rations/dp/1782430261
If you have not read this book the introduction chapter is absolutely wonderful.
It explains how the rationing system was created in Great Britain by an economist and nutritionist. It talks about the science behind nutritional recommendations. I was the best information that I’ve read on some of the history of rationing. I would recommend getting this book as a reference.
Other ideas:
I also think that you could write a chapter about your journey including what your goals were and are now from your previous posts. Include what went well and what things were challenging.
Questions I would have as a reader.
I would be more likely to buy this book if I could see that it had information pertaining to these questions:
• How do I know if I am cooking enough for the size of my family?
• What should I do when I can’t find an ingredient?
• What if there are dietary restrictions like if I can’t use sugar because a family member is diabetic? ….or has a gluten or nut allergy?
• Will there be information about how many calories are restricted by age and gender? What if I am pregnant? What if my teenager is an athlete, could or should active people eat a certain amount?
• I’d like to be successful as I can with this method of eating on a ration quantity for my health and finances. Currently, my family and I are used to eating more calories a day. I am afraid that if we go “all in,” we are going to be so hungry that we will quickly abandon this way of eating. What are your recommendations for slowly easing into eating on rations week by week until we are being successful? Is snacking OK? If so, what kind of snacks?
Wow, this is amazing feedback and thoughts and ideas!!! Love the AI thoughts on the book cover too! My thoughts are definitely a cross over between modern and old and I have a framework mapped out with menus, FAQs, so half the book is iconic and hopefully beautifully photographed WW2 recipes with adjustments for modern living in a section at the bottom of each recipe… there are lots more sections too and would love to tell a bit of a story inveteeen each chapter especially regarding the reasons for those early experiments xxx Leslie, you have been so generous with your thoughts and ideas, this is priceless to me quite honestly, thank you so much xx. c
I like option 1, but maybe make the wording at the bottom in bold typeface.
Thanks so much Nancy xxx
Really like number four. Even though green is my favorite color, the light background really adds contrast and makes the green items pop out.
I’m also one who thinks that less is more. The badge seems to not fit the clean style of the cover – plus it repeats what is already stated in the title of the book. Just my opinion – I would leave it out of the design.
Good luck in what you choose and enjoy the whole experience of authoring and publishing! Can’t wait to see the finished book!
Thank you Joe, I am absolutely loving the thrill of this all, it’s been an ambition of mine for 20 years and finally I’m doing it so am so grateful for all the feedback xxx
I like cover 1.
Personally I don’t like Gill Sans font.
It does have accessibility issues and after finding out about the designer I will never use it.
But up to you, I will still buy your book 🙂
Thanks Emma, I will have to look more into accessibility as I want the reading experience to be good for as many people as possible. I will have to Google about Gill Sans! Thank you xx
I like something similar to your website of the recipes. It seemed more authentic to the time period.
Thanks so much, yes this is quite different and feel that I do need to make some changes. This is my first idea and the amount of feedback and ideas had blown me away so I s as m really looking forward to coming up with the next versions. Thank you so much xxxx
Hi Carolyn,
I love the cover , the pie looks delicious. Number 2 I like best. I just want to say that my personal opinion I would prefer another colour for the book. Xx
Thanks Ann, great to hear your thoughts, thank you xxx
I like No. 2. I like the fact the writing at the bottom stands out more. June
It definitely can be read easier in the bold font, thank you xx
was going to comment that you should combine number 1 and 2, but it’s already been said!
I was going to say number 3… now that I have looked at it a bit, number 4 pops even more! I think that one stands out the most.
I love how it feels, it is nostalgic, but a little modern. It’s not overly cluttered, which is how i feel about a lot of recipe book covers!
Seriously, I would be thinking of picking this up based on the simple, old fashioned look of it!
(which is almost what I am doing now, considering i have no real idea what will be inside, but am on the waitlist anyways :P)
After reading a few comments, I think the little badge would be a great placeholder for something nostalgic… maybe MoF? Depends on licensing and whatnot, of course! But I like the badge, just, I think it needs something else to be in that circle. If that makes sense? I feel like it adds just the right amount of flair, without it is just a touch plain.
Again, not as ‘cluttered’ feeling as modern cookbooks, which is very refreshing to my eyes!
No 4 gets my vote. I actually like the idea without any WW2 logos or characters. It gives a feel of WW2 kitchen wisdom and recipes reimagined for modern days, as opposed to a historical or nostalgia based book that might be fun to read but not too useful in a modern kitchen. Hope that makes sense?
No 4 gets my vote (with 2 a distant second) for one reason, too many recipe books have white/pale/coloured text on coloured background and if you have difficulty with colour contrast it is an immediate no. The difficulty and in some cases migraine is not worth it. Difficulty with colour contrast increases with age so is something to bear in mind. Don’t get me wrong, colour on colour can work but it is easy to get wrong.
I like No. 3.
The type on the bottom of 1 does not stand out enough. I like the green off 1 and 2, reminds me of army green, appropriate to the time period. I don’t care for the lighter background of 4.
Bit late here, but if it’s any help to you Caroline, I like number 4 best. Xx
I like number 4 the best.
It has the contrast, the bolder print and the badge.