How do I design a cover pic?

isaacfriedman 2016-02-10 20:40:03 UTC #1

I have this comic that I like more than my other two and want to go on for a while and maybe someday get popular enough for me to remake in a more professional way, but right now it has a really unappealing icon:

I've been brainstorming a lot of alternate versions, but I keep worrying that they're all sending the wrong message about my comic and are discouraging people form clicking on them. How do I make a good one?

Kayke 2016-02-10 21:07:06 UTC #2

I went through and read the pages of the comic you have up so far and from what I can tell this icon suits it. From the icon I could tell the comic was dark and about the military, and the fact that his eyes are pure red make me get the idea that something out of the ordinary is going on.

Could you elaborate on how you think this is sending the wrong message about the comic?

isaacfriedman 2016-02-10 21:15:07 UTC #3

I'm not sure the visual style of the icon quite matches that of the comic as a whole. I mean, the darkness and heavy-handed coloring/shading are both pretty much exactly how I do the comic, but at the same time, the lack of contrast and realism in the character's face and outfit are a bit off. I'm not sure how to change it though because the British soldiers' uniforms are brown-green and the character's skin is not a completely natural color... I'm not sure, maybe it's fine and I'm overthinking it.

The high contrast also kind of makes me think people will be less likely to click on it out of curiosity whereas my other two comics have much more friendly and inviting icons.

Kayke 2016-02-10 21:23:01 UTC #4

It seems to me like the other two comics are meant to be funny though, so the icons being lighter and more inviting makes sense.

I think more people on the site do gravitate to brighter icons, but since your comic itself is serious, the people who click friendly looking icons might not subscribe after actually reading the comic and seeing it's more serious. Less people might click on the darker icon, but at least you know the people who do will be genuinely interested as that's the kind of comic they're looking for and what they expected when they clicked the icon.

As for the color of the uniform, I think yeah you might be over thinking it. The skin is definitely a different color from the uniform and it's clear which parts are which even at a glance.

isaacfriedman 2016-02-10 21:27:27 UTC #5

Gotcha Thanks! I'm new to... all of this, so it's nice to be reassured that I'm doing the right thing for the most part.

papachan 2016-02-12 06:43:34 UTC #6

@isaacfriedman

First off, I didn't even read the rest of your first post when I saw your icon. I immediately went to look up the comic and read it. THIS IS A GOOD THING. I am very picky about what I even look at, let alone subscribe to. I really enjoy reading your comic and I would have not subscribed or looked at it if your icon was not so dark and, well, a bit intimidating. You're doing a great job. The only thing I would consider changing is the wording? But it is great if you leave it this way.

isaacfriedman 2016-02-13 16:15:29 UTC #7

I do have a lot of trouble getting my phraseology and syntax to properly convey what I mean when working in a narrative style. Thanks to how schools work where I am I've only ever been taught how to write essays haha. I'd love to hear how you think I could make it better! I always love feedback and criticism since they help me get better at the things I love to do.