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Post by waysoftheearth on Apr 14, 2013 19:34:45 GMT -6
I've started looking into what would be required for "DD Next"; a high production value version of DD.
One of the most obvious things is a glorious full colour front cover. So my question to you all is:
What would you love to see on the front cover of a single volume edition of Delving Deeper?
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Post by bestialwarlust on Apr 14, 2013 21:25:15 GMT -6
Artwork by Erol Otis ;D
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machpants
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
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Post by machpants on Apr 14, 2013 21:46:38 GMT -6
DD Next LOL
Being someone who started on BECMI, Larry Elmore wouldn't go amiss!
But really any decent OS-style artist, and it would be good to see more of an exploration theme rather than the standard combat shots. Exploration/discovery seem to me to be the main ideas in DD (and ODnD). Would look dif than most too.
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Post by Falconer on Apr 14, 2013 22:42:27 GMT -6
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Post by waysoftheearth on Apr 15, 2013 3:58:50 GMT -6
Thanks for your comments guys. I guess I was asking after your ideas on the subject matter rather than who/how it would be created.
In your opinion, is the ideal cover art:
a) On a sweeping, epic scale? Or focused on a few individuals? b) Would it be grim and threatening? Or bright and fierce? b) Would it be set underground? Above ground? At sea? On the wing? c) Would it feature combat? A parley? An exploration enigma? d) Would it feature magic? A trap? Treasure? Monsters? PCs?
And finally... e) Why would the piece you describe be particularly relevant to DD?
Will the cover of DD Next be yours?? ;D
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Post by Falconer on Apr 15, 2013 5:59:38 GMT -6
I guess to me the Delving Deeper name suggests underground exploration would be the most appropriate subject matter for the cover. For me, the pieces which best capture the awesomeness of D&D are not combat scenes, but rather the Room of Pools from B1 and the Great Stone Face Enigma from Greyhawk.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2013 7:20:30 GMT -6
Have the characters doing something dynamic: exploring, fighting, winning, losing, climbing, casting, etc.
Do not have them posing for a portrait in pristine armor with weapons that have never seen combat.
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Post by thorswulf on Apr 15, 2013 7:40:52 GMT -6
In a dungeon, definately. Gritty, with combat, or lots of dead things and combat. A flashy spell would be good too!
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Post by verhaden on Apr 15, 2013 11:46:54 GMT -6
Narrowly focused on a small adventuring party. Grim, tense overtones. Set in the depths of some dank dungeon. Exploration with the threat or implication of combat or form of danger.
Focus should be on creating a tone, mood, or atmosphere with which to define the game and set a standard of expectations for those who play it and for those who run it.
Honestly, I've come to associate your Hinterlands game with D&D more-so than anything else I've come across since I've picked up a die. I'm sure there's more than one suitable scene one could use to depict a rag-tag DD party delving into the depths of the unknown in the hopes of escaping with their lives and some fantastic treasure long forgotten by time.
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Post by verhaden on Apr 15, 2013 11:54:45 GMT -6
As far as an artist is concerned, I recommend that you branch out. As much as I like the community wide current crop of artists, you run the risk of being too self-referential or incestuous if they graced yet another rpg book cover.
If have no preferences either way for something created with traditional media or digital. But make sure that whatever artist you hire knows how to use a computer. Get a quality, high resolution image file. Try to get something that can be used for a traditional full sized hardback, but could also be scaled and cropped for 6x9 use. This thing should be at least 10mb in size when you get it.
Make sure that the artist has a good sense of typography when they plan/arrange their cover art. They need to create something that allows space for the book's title, any logo's or company markings, author names, etc. You don't want anything important getting hidden.
***
The cover should also wrap around the book!
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machpants
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Post by machpants on Apr 15, 2013 13:53:33 GMT -6
As I said in my first post, a dungeon exploration scene, I mean can this be beaten? IMO no. That says DD to me, altars, exploration, treasure, maps, dead lizard creatures, largish party, etc. Awesome
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Post by waysoftheearth on Apr 15, 2013 17:12:41 GMT -6
Thanks for your input guys, it's much appreciated. Yes, Dave Trampier's PHB cover is among the most evocative D&D art eva (see here)! If we can achieve anything approaching that level of genius I will be thrilled. Honestly, I've come to associate your Hinterlands game with D&D more-so than anything else I've come across since I've picked up a die. Thank you~! I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed it ;D As far as an artist is concerned, I recommend that you branch out. I already have (more on that later).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2013 20:45:29 GMT -6
I say no PC characters whatsoever, but a grim underdark with a couple of baddies laying in wait to spring an ambush--we can see them because the POV is that WE are the PCs looking at the sons of pregnant doges we gotta wade through.
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ratikranger
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Post by ratikranger on May 18, 2013 0:40:02 GMT -6
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 18, 2013 0:43:44 GMT -6
Thanks for all the input guys. For those who haven't been following the G+ chatter, the DDNext front cover is in progress by none other than Jim Holloway. I am absolutely dying to see the first roughs... will let you know as it happens
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Post by Vile Traveller on May 18, 2013 2:53:25 GMT -6
I guess you know where my cover art preference lies. On the subject of G+, I'm finding it very difficult to keep up since Google decided that the best look would be to splurge my screen with three columns of posts arranged in no particular order that I can see ...
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machpants
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Supersonic Underwear!
Posts: 259
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Post by machpants on May 18, 2013 3:41:03 GMT -6
Yeah it really sucks. I have been shrinking my browser window until it forces a single column width. Not exactly ideal.
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Post by waysoftheearth on May 19, 2013 7:21:52 GMT -6
I guess you know where my cover art preference lies. I'm not sure what you mean Vile Care to elaborate?
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Post by verhaden on May 20, 2013 8:07:26 GMT -6
I think Vile's referring to the cover art on his own project, BLUEHOLME.
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