Naming and Art
Philip Taffs – Bubby
| 2024 | |
| Pages | Cover, front and back |
| Our work | Brainstorming with author for new title Graphic design for print Generative AI mixed with traditional photographs, photoshop |
| Why it’s here | Deep dive on content broadened horizons for creative work; new(er) technologies mixed with traditional skills |
| Genre | Dark, brooding, mysterious thriller |
Friend of the studio Philip was re-releasing a novel with new publisher and new distribution rights. Previously the book had been published with a generic horror title; the author felt this was selling it short, and wanted something new and a little more fitting.
He sent me a copy of the book, which I read cover-to-cover (it IS a page turner); this gave me a series of concepts for both name and cover art.
We settled on Bubby (the name of a significant character, but not the protagonist) and I made concepts incorporating a range of story elements; these are shown below to the left.
Without giving the plot away, the story is set in New York, there’s a baby, there’s a hotel room, there’s a TV that runs static (or is it?) from time to time. There’s old things and new things and birds that have reason to be sad.
I used a combination of stock images, personally shot pics and my first professional use of AI image generation for a few elements; and then composited the various parts in Photoshop along with the usual tricks in there.
The result was a range of covers with a small amount of developing refinement resulting in our finished piece.
It’s gone on sale recently and the initial feedback has been very positive; another happy client.
“I think Matt has done an outstanding job bringing a spooky new BUBBY to life!“