1981
Back in 1981, I bought Bob Gill's book. Not only did I love it, but I loved the cover even more. Full of American directness and chutzpah and could easily be a headline from a Madison Avenue Ad agency. Little did Gill know that he unwittingly set the cover formula for future books in the 'How to' creative genre.
2003
38 years after Gill's book was published the above little paperback appeared in bookshops. It was by the late British art director Paul Arden. It echoed the notion of instant creative knowledge of Gill's cover. Ever since there has been a stream of 'How to' creative titles and they rarely deviate from this cover approach.
2008
2011
2012
2012
2014
2014
2014
2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
2017
2017
2017
2019
What is extraordinary about this area of publishing is the fact that the authors, many notable creative talents, have followed the same cover formula, all shouting at the potential customer.
It leaves me wondering how they all fell into this monotonous trap, why the poverty of thought? Or were they pushed and cajoled by the publisher's sales departments in their infinite wisdom - God help us!