I don’t talk enough about things I love, so here:
I’ve always loved this book cover by Chip Kidd, and here are a few reasons:
- Man, it just reads. BOOM. Superhero story! Invincibility, nay, mythic god-hood/world domination is at stake!
- More specifically, the title, colors, layout, and even the props are perfect. The gloves and helmet look appropriately fake and costumey, which telegraphs that readers can expect a fun, lighthearted story.
- Look at the brilliant use of negative space. You’ve got a “face” and hands, two things that we are naturally drawn to, in bright pink, with bright blue negative space behind. So while we’re drawn to the face, we’re drawn in even further by the tension created because the face isn’t there.
- The scene depicted is not the climax or aftermath, it’s the moment right before the moment of truth. Is the hero or villain holding aloft a helmet of invincibility before coronating themselves emperor of Earth? Better read on to find out.
If I had to extract a design or UX lesson here it would be this: Commit, 100%. Make a clear, unmissable promise to users about what your thing is, then deliver the hell out of that promise.