Berrett-Koehler Community

Creating a World That Works for All

Here is a tough one. Scenario Planning for Organizations outlines the process and practice for a complete and comprehensive approach to planning. Typically marketed to the business and academic audience but packaged with an unusual twist. Which cover do you think the experts in the field chose?


Views: 1

Replies to This Conversation

I vote for cover #4. The type is easiest to read and most integrated with the image. After that cover #1 is humorous — would like to see the zebra image cropped in closer. Interesting that none of the images include women?
I absolutely adore the Zebra cover - it's whimsical, bright and fresh. The overlapping arches is my favorite because of the strong and powerful image draws me instantly to the book. Alas, the white guy in the suit surveying his kingdom of of hedge rows will probably win because it best captures the target audience. In summary, I vote for # 2; # 1 gets the nod for originality and humor. # 4 walks away with the cover prize over my objections as the mainstream majority's predictable pick.
Cover 2 looks strongest to me. The image is eye-catching and engaging, but doesn't take away from the importance of title, subtitle, and author name. As much as I love anything with animals, I think the Zebra cover is a little too 'out there' for a BK Business book. The style of the artwork on Cover 3 looks outdated to me, and I agree with Ron that Cover 4 skews too "White Guy Surveys Hedge Rows."
I like #2. Powerful look and graphics plus it illustrates the many paths a company needs to plan for.
My eye immediately went to No. 2 because of the dynamic photo, and when I examined the other covers, I still went back to No. 2. I think it would visually leap out from a bookshelf. Not only is the photo dynamic, but the structure portrayed, a complex maze of bridges, would have required superlative planning, which goes with the book's theme.
I like the image on #2 as well— presently the way that the image is used overwhelms the title — maybe a bit of tweaking could occur in order to balance the elements.
I really like cover 2. The colors and image give it a powerful look. The image has also something very dynamic. I also like the title being easily readable. The other covers don't do anything for me.
I like number 4, probably because it is most readable at the small size presented here. Clear, dramatic typography is good. Maybe get rid of the box around the subtitle. Too bad about the man in the suit though. I think the cover would work without the man, if he is composited into the image maybe he can go away. If there are zebras in #1, I can't see them well enough at this size -- don't know what zebras have to do with it anyway.
Probably cover #2. I personally don't think cover #3 is a bad concept- the bright, bold colors suggest a lively creativity that would seem pertinent to a theme such as Scenario Planning, but the image of "open doors" is a bit tired.
I like all four of these covers, and I don't say that very often. Kudos to the cover designers. The most compelling one for me is Cover 3 because it the four doors with one open immediately supports the title, with a bold orange not seen on covers as often as primary colors. However, I notice that it is the only cover of the four selections that shows the word "Organizations" as larger than "Scenario Planning." I think they should be the same size, but the words "Scenario Planning" do not need to be larger than the world "Organizations." My second choice is Cover 2; it is classy and the multiple bidges also conveys the concept. I am also a sucker for the red-black-gray-white color combo.
Both cover 2 and cover 4 are very strong and pass the Amazon thumbnail test (which used to be the "put the comp on the other side of the room and try to read it" test).
I'd have to say #2 is the most eye catching and bold, although the subtitle is a little lost. And from what I know about scenario planning, number 3 would be an inaccurate representation. # looks like a book about farming to me. And cover 1 would be a distant second choice....

RSS

Kindred Spirit Digital Communities

If you like the interaction within the BKcommunity.com site, we invite you to check out some other cool digital community sites started by BK authors or their affiliated organizations:

Arbinger Community by The Arbinger Institute (author of Leadership and Self-Deception and Anatomy of Peace)

Presencing Institute Community by Otto Scharmer (author of Theory U)

Heartland Network by Patricia and Craig Neal (co-authors of upcoming The Art of Convening)

World Cafe Online Community by Juanita Brown and David Isaacs (co-authors of The World Cafe)

The Powers of Place by Sheryl Erickson (co-author of Collective Wisdom)


© 2012   Created by David Marshall.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service