So... the cover I made for my somwhat spicy fantasy space opera?

[lambenttyto]

What are your ships going to be for? Exploration? Trade? War? The design of your ship should depend on its purpose.

The whole story is centered around a huge space battle. The MC is the commander of the flagship and she's carrying on an elicit affair with one of the knights onboard.

 

[lambenttyto]

Okay, here's an update on the cover!

 

[tiaf]

Okay, here's an update on the cover!

Would put the sword in the background and keep it pure white. Also no texture for the star.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Okay, here's an update on the cover!

I don't want to sound rude, but it became worse. Your previous cover looked fine. You just needed to play with the text and fonts a bit. Now it looks like a mishmash, and I mean in a negative way.

Also, you can see a woman much better(her bottom), and SH might not allow such a cover. Now I don't know if it will be rejected, and arguing if this is NSFW or not is pointless because it's not me who approves the covers. However, take note that there were precedents when such covers wouldn't get approved because of the nudity or something.

 

[lambenttyto]

Would put the sword in the background and keep it pure white. Also no texture for the star.

But they're both part of the insignia.

I don't want to sound rude, but it became worse. Your previous cover looked fine. You just needed to play with the text and fonts a bit. Now it looks like a mishmash, and I mean in a negative way.

Meh. Can't please 'em all.
I noticed her upper body is missing. Totally obscured behind everything. I fixed that.

 

[tiaf]

But they're both part of the insignia.

Meh. Can't please 'em all.

The insignia gives me strong marvel/us patriotism vibes. Then you got the completely Asian signets and names over the Lady. That is already not fitting together, style wise.

The background is already colorful enough, you need something simpler to not let the eyes wander around aimlessly but kept focused on the title. The subtle gradient from white to blue in the wings are nice, but the additional eggshell color of the sword and the additional texture of Star and wings are too much.

The title in magenta and dark blue are okay, because the colors are also found in the background. The wings also has colors found in the background. They all have a cook shade, and thus, look harmonious. But then there is a cream colored sword and a dark star with warm shad that looks out of the color scheme. To boot it, it’s also in the foreground.

It’s the first thing that jumps into focus, but that insignia is a bit badly chosen, as it looks like a eagle resized. Even stronger US patriotism vibes.

Idk if you had intended that…

 

[lambenttyto]

Idk if you had intended that…

I appreciate your detailed response, and now that you mention it, I see where you're coming from. Okay, I changed the color really quick.

I think I should change the eagle wings, though. You're right. The insignia is designed after US Navy XO Commander rank insignia, which is why it's very recognizable. I wonder what kind of wings I should use...?

Oh, and the reason for the Japanese stuff, is because the story actually has strong Japanese themes.

 

[tiaf]

I appreciate your detailed response, and now that you mention it, I see where you're coming from. Okay, I changed the color really quick.

I think I should change the eagle wings, though. You're right. The insignia is designed after US Navy XO Commander rank insignia, which is why it's very recognizable. I wonder what kind of wings I should use...?

Oh, and the reason for the Japanese stuff, is because the story actually has strong Japanese themes.

I guessed there are japanese stuff, but you wouldn't think that with that title. If there was a generic black haired "average guy" on the cover then I would make the connection easier. But you can't put everything on the cover

the color of the insignia is much better now. The eagle wings actually fit shape wise into the actual picture, but the Navy vibe is deeply associated with the eagle and star elements (even a non-american like myself can see it)

Maybe change the star to something filigran? Or more abstract for the space vibe.

 

[lambenttyto]

Maybe change the star to something filigran? Or more abstract for the space vibe.

Imperial Japan anyone? lol

 

[tiaf]

Imperial Japan anyone? lol

Why did you make the tagline blaaaack.

 

[lambenttyto]

Why did you make the tagline blaaaack.

I didn't make it black on purpose. It has to do with the layers and their arrangement, unfortunately. Is it getting better or worse, lol

 

[tiaf]

I didn't make it black on purpose. It has to do with the layers and their arrangement, unfortunately. Is it getting better or worse, lol

worse!

Come back in three days with fresh eyes!

 

[lambenttyto]

But, but... I fixed it! Look!

 

[tiaf]

But, but... I fixed it! Look!

No. Captain America meets Katana (the character is named Katana!) horrible combination

less is more

either go back to initial idea with detailed background and simple typography that fills the cover

or one color bg and full cover typography

or keep the insignia, but delete background entirely

it’s overloaded

 

[lambenttyto]

Gah! Dang it!

 

[Ai-chan]

What are your thoughts? I really want some ships, but... I don't have any ships...

One word. Bad.

Explanation
1. The entire thing is written over. There is practically no space left.
2. The font chosen is hard to read. Particularly the name of the author.
3. The choice of font transparency is bad. It makes the text hard to read and near impossible to see when it's small or afar.
4. What is the actual name of the novel? Space Opera? If that's not the name, why is it emphasized?
5. If Lady Commander is the title, it's not catchy enough, but that's a minor problem compared to all of the above.

Still a work in progress, but I think it's getting better?

No author name. It's fine if you don't want to be known, but that was probably not your intention. Also, A Fantasy Space Opera took the emphasis.

Okay, here's an update on the cover!

Too many things happening at once. It's tiring to just look at.

Imperial Japan anyone? lol

Fantasy Space Opera is still emphasized way more than the title of the novel. Make it smaller. Better yet, just get rid of it. Show what it is in your synopsis. Also, where is your author name?

 

[lambenttyto]

Bleeeehhhhh!!!

All right, how about now?

Or like this.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Bleeeehhhhh!!!

All right, how about now?

Or like this.

Both is good.

 

[Echimera]

Bleeeehhhhh!!!

All right, how about now?

Or like this.

Way better than the last versions, there was a serious oversaturation of insignia of incongruent styles and origins.

Maybe we should clarify which part of the text is which, just so we are on the same page going forward:

• The title seems to have changed from 'Lady Commander Ava Ryder - A Fantasy Space Opera' to 'Lady Commander - A Fantasy Space Opera'.
• With these last versions, you added 'Ava Ryder of the Flagship' at the top and 'Malkyrion' below.
  • 'Ava Ryder of the Flagship' would probably be the title of the series, if you intend it to become one.
  • I have no idea what to make off 'Malkyrion'
• 'Lawrence Caldwell' in the second variant seems to be the author. No way to check if it's really your name (and personally, don't care), and if you want to sign your online works with your real name, that's your choice. Most people on SH seem to prefer their usernames even when they move on to publish printed versions via amazon or the likes.

Still some potential readability issues, mostly with the wing of the insignia covering the first 'M' of 'Commander' (and conmander might actually make for a decent portmanteau for the leader of a conman group) and the 'sh' in 'Flagship' at the top being very close to the background in color.

I do like the redesigned insignia, it's far enough from real world insignia I know and the problem with the name of the unit being partially covered is no longer present.

 

[lambenttyto]

Both is good.

Yeah, I figured an aggressive reduction was needed after everyone's comments. Before it was everything and the kitchen sink.

I do like the redesigned insignia, it's far enough from real world insignia I know and the problem with the name of the unit being partially covered is no longer present.

Thank you for your detailed comments. I'm pretty happy with the cover now. Been tinkering for two days, lol.