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crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 407
Gold Member
Topic starter
 

I was in Barnes and Noble last week to purchase a copy of Fantasy & Science Fiction. While the clerk was searching in the back, I played a game to see which book covers I noticed without trying. The answer was gold, red, and orange covers. The blue and purple book covers did not stand out. They just melded into each other and became a large mass. Something to keep in mind when choosing a cover for your novels. By the way, B&N did not have Fantasy & Science Fiction in stock. I was told that they usually ordered 2 copies at that store.

Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: 1st -- R, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- SHM
Vol. 38: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- HM
Vol. 39: 1st -- SHM, 2nd -- RWC, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- HM
Vol. 40: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- R, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- R
Vol. 41: 1st - R, 2nd -- pending, 3rd -- WIP

"Never give up! Never surrender!" -- Galaxy Quest

 
Posted : January 13, 2020 11:08 am
Dustin Adams
(@tj_knight)
Posts: 1352
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

I'm currently working my way through these.

https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses ... veals.html

Fascinating how human cultures "discovered" colors in the same order.
Black & White, then red, yellow, green, and finally blue.

Career:

1x Win
2x NW-F
2x S-F
9x S-HM
11x HM
7x R

 
Posted : January 13, 2020 9:28 pm
crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 407
Gold Member
Topic starter
 

Wowsa! Scientific basis confirming my experiment results.

Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: 1st -- R, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- SHM
Vol. 38: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- HM
Vol. 39: 1st -- SHM, 2nd -- RWC, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- HM
Vol. 40: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- R, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- R
Vol. 41: 1st - R, 2nd -- pending, 3rd -- WIP

"Never give up! Never surrender!" -- Galaxy Quest

 
Posted : January 14, 2020 4:27 am
Alex Harford
(@alexh)
Posts: 292
Silver Member
 

I work mostly on usability but also a little in 'conversion optimisation' for websites. Many studies have shown orange buttons lead to more conversions, whether that's newsletter signups or making a purchase.

*Goes on forum members websites in a week.*

Every button is orange!

But as a disclaimer, orange doesn't always work best.

35: - R R R | 36: R HM R R | 37: HM HM HM SHM | 38: HM HM HM HM | 39: HM HM HM SHM | 40: HM R SHM SHM |
4 SHM / 12 HM / 7 R

 
Posted : January 14, 2020 7:43 am
(@lazarusblack)
Posts: 22
Advanced Member
 

What you are discussing is called “Color Theory” and how it relates to “The Visual Hierarchy”.

Since colors are exclusively an illusion processed in the brain based on EM wavelengths, how humans react to colors are lart biological and part social construct. Unless someone has dramatically different biology (eg, has different than average sets of cones), we all react to certain colors the same way. Especially red - which we know automatically instills a foght or flight response (eg increased adrenaline, heart rate, salovary glands, etc.) and gold/yellow/orange (sun and fire).

Socially, different culture apply import to colors differently. For instance, in most of China, red is the most powerful and important color in the world. However in Mongolia, those traits are applied to blue while in the middle east, blue and whote together are dominant, but in Ireland its green (unless you are protestant).

So, cover designers should already know all of this and how to use colors best. Sometimes, covers arent meant to stand out - but instead meant to be familiar. If the customer liked the book with the blue-green cover, then they might like this one too.

I was required to take 4 semesters of color theory in art school and 25 years later, I teach it.

I also include that information in my writing to control how my reader imagines the emotions and meanings I intend.

 
Posted : January 17, 2020 7:59 pm
Disgruntled Peony
(@disgruntledpeony)
Posts: 1283
Platinum Member
 

There's also the idea of using contrasting colors on the color wheel to catch the eye. When I worked at Hollywood Video, it was pretty easy to notice that at least half the DVD covers were basically some variation of blue and orange.

If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback

 
Posted : January 18, 2020 1:18 am
crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 407
Gold Member
Topic starter
 

I also include that information in my writing to control how my reader imagines the emotions and meanings I intend.

This is a good idea. I haven't thought about including color in my writing.

Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: 1st -- R, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- SHM
Vol. 38: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- HM, 3rd -- HM, 4th -- HM
Vol. 39: 1st -- SHM, 2nd -- RWC, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- HM
Vol. 40: 1st -- HM, 2nd -- R, 3rd -- RWC, 4th -- R
Vol. 41: 1st - R, 2nd -- pending, 3rd -- WIP

"Never give up! Never surrender!" -- Galaxy Quest

 
Posted : January 18, 2020 3:35 am
(@lazarusblack)
Posts: 22
Advanced Member
 

In my current novel, I have opposing asian dragons - one red and one gold. But the gold one is a false gold (thereby a false god) and the villain pretending to be sacred. The red dragon always wears something red when in human form and I don’t let any other character wear red - unless it foreshadowing a relationship with her in some way.

In a recent fantasy short, I made black the most sacred color to the main character, meaning love and warmth and peace.

 
Posted : January 18, 2020 6:00 am
Dustin Adams
(@tj_knight)
Posts: 1352
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

I also include that information in my writing to control how my reader imagines the emotions and meanings I intend.

This is a good idea. I haven't thought about including color in my writing.

Call me.

I am a color freak. Smile
Seriously though, send me the first 1k of your current story, WiP, etc.
If you're interested, I'll e-mail you my latest finalist and explain how I used the colors in there to enhance the mood.
Granted, I haven't won this thing yet, but it's not for my lack of color. wotf019

Career:

1x Win
2x NW-F
2x S-F
9x S-HM
11x HM
7x R

 
Posted : January 18, 2020 9:18 pm
(@lazarusblack)
Posts: 22
Advanced Member
 

If you're interested, I'll e-mail you my latest finalist and explain how I used the colors in there to enhance the mood.
Granted, I haven't won this thing yet, but it's not for my lack of color. wotf019

I’d like to read a finalist piece that uses color well.

Please send it to me.

Thank you.

 
Posted : January 19, 2020 12:05 pm
(@jficke13)
Posts: 80
Bronze Member
 

Lazarus, that's really interesting. Do you have a link to anything where we could get more basic information on color theory or places where it's connection to prose is explored? Maybe even a book recommendation?

HM x2, Vol. 34 Q4 - 3rd. http://www.jonficke.com

 
Posted : January 31, 2020 4:03 am
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