The cover:



-clash

I'm not a big fan of typical RPG illustrations. So I'm fine with non figurative art. Now I'm trying to guess what you're trying to convey here. Is it simplicity, or fluidity? Am I even close?

Quote from: boulet;359198I'm not a big fan of typical RPG illustrations. So I'm fine with non figurative art. Now I'm trying to guess what you're trying to convey here. Is it simplicity, or fluidity? Am I even close?

You are spot on with fluidity - also a swooping movement, flexibility, and organic feel. My covers have always suffered from a sameness that I am trying to move away from. This is different. Was your reaction positive or negative?

-clash

It's also a visual theme running throughout - here's the Vehicle Control Sheet, for example:



-clash

Oh! It's a whole visual identity applied across the game! I like the idea.

Quote from: boulet;359210Oh! It's a whole visual identity applied across the game! I like the idea.

Cool! I was expecting more resistance to the look, but so far response has been positive. Thanks!

-clash

very neat. I am looking forward to the game.

Quote from: Silverlion;359228very neat. I am looking forward to the game.

Thanks, Tim!

There will be a small surprise announcement when I release IHW:SC. One other persona knows about it outside my gaming group. Hopefully folks will be intrigued!

-clash

Well just my ten cents. As for a theme through out the book I like it. But as the front cover I dont. If I was to look at it on the shelf it would make me say what the hell is that? But not in the way that I might pick it up. If it were me I would like to see something that conveys the games theme/topic more. On the other hand I think you and the previous posters comments about how it conveys clean/simplicity/fluidity are dead on. I guess I would just like it to come off more spacy. If that makes sense. Like I said just my ten cents.:idunno:

Quote from: flyingmice;359193The cover...

Er...hmm.  Okay, I want you to know at the outset that I intend this comment in the most helpful manner possible.

It looks like a naked woman sitting on a pane of glass, viewed from below.  Honestly, almost the first thing I saw.

I'm guessing you're aiming for a Traveller-esque cover, something stark, yet dynamic.  Man, the GDW folks really stumbled onto a fantastic design with the original edition for simple lack of an art budget (which, I might add, is a design that Mongoose kind of flubbed by adding an arrow point to it).  I'd suggest something a little less brush-strokey.

!i!

(P.S. On the Vehicle Control Sheet -- this is for an atmospheric vehicle, I take it?  The "Altitude", "Climb", "Dive", and "Ceiling" headers don't quite jibe with Zero-G vehicular maneuvers.)

Quote from: Ronin;359233Well just my ten cents. As for a theme through out the book I like it. But as the front cover I dont. If I was to look at it on the shelf it would make me say what the hell is that? But not in the way that I might pick it up. If it were me I would like to see something that conveys the games theme/topic more. On the other hand I think you and the previous posters comments about how it conveys clean/simplicity/fluidity are dead on. I guess I would just like it to come off more spacy. If that makes sense. Like I said just my ten cents.:idunno:

Hi Ronin!

Thanks for the input! This is the response I was expecting, actually. It makes plenty of sense. If this book were in widespread distro, it might make a difference, but nobody is going to pick this book up off a shelf and wonder what's in it. They will be looking for it explicitly - something very like it - in the first place.

-clash

Quote from: Ian Absentia;359236Er...hmm.  Okay, I want you to know at the outset that I intend this comment in the most helpful manner possible.

It looks like a naked woman sitting on a pane of glass, viewed from below.  Honestly, almost the first thing I saw.

I'm guessing you're aiming for a Traveller-esque cover, something stark, yet dynamic.  Man, the GDW folks really stumbled onto a fantastic design with the original edition for simple lack of an art budget (which, I might add, is a design that Mongoose kind of flubbed by adding an arrow point to it).  I'd suggest something a little less brush-strokey.

Hi Ian!

Hehe! Rorschach strikes again!

Yes, I am going for very stark and simple, and Traveller - as it usually ends up being - is a huge inspiration. On the other hand, unlike what you were aiming for with Mariner, I'm looking to avoid direct association with Traveller. I'm also implying a stylistic break for those who have been following the StarCluster or In Harm's Way series. StarCluster has a "look" and IHW has a "look". This is like neither. I've come a long way as a designer since I released StarCluster 1E back in 2002.

Quote(P.S. On the Vehicle Control Sheet -- this is for an atmospheric vehicle, I take it?  The "Altitude", "Climb", "Dive", and "Ceiling" headers don't quite jibe with Zero-G vehicular maneuvers.)

Exactly. The VCS is for anything operating in atmosphere - ground vehicles can just ignore the altitude bits. There are separate control sheets for non-planetary vehicles.

-clash

Hi Clash:

Hmmm.   How do I say this.  I like the general flow of things.  I REALLY like Star Clusters btw, but i think you need some depth to the cover art.  It's...umm....blah!

I do like how you carry it over on the other pages and it looks better there but when it is by itself it just doesn't quite cut it.  Perhaps you need a star field or something in the background?  Some planets?  Ships?  Don't know.  You're the artist here and not me.  This doesn't speak to your talents.  Your other covers always grabbed you and this one doesn't quite do it.  

That being said....I'm looking forward to see what else you might do for it.  (grins).

Bonni

Looks like the cover to an Art Appreciation or whatever those mandatory classes are called. :hmm: Also kinda makes me feel...airsick? :jaw-dropping:

Doesn't spring THIS IS SCIFI right offhand but yeah, does stick out. And all this talk of gravcars now makes think of Fifth Element or Star Wars with all the airsicky flying moments. :eek: (dashes offscreen)

Quote from: Ronin;359233Well just my ten cents. As for a theme through out the book I like it. But as the front cover I dont. If I was to look at it on the shelf it would make me say what the hell is that? But not in the way that I might pick it up. If it were me I would like to see something that conveys the games theme/topic more. On the other hand I think you and the previous posters comments about how it conveys clean/simplicity/fluidity are dead on. I guess I would just like it to come off more spacy. If that makes sense. Like I said just my ten cents.:idunno:

Gotta say I'm with Ronin on this. Can't see it as a cover but as a stylistic element it works great. My only other concern would be what type of mood you're trying to create. The last time I saw your system it was medium crunch with lots of high numbers. The design seems at odds with that. But I love the way it looks behind the vehicle sheet.

Pete