You may have noticed that this blog is “text heavy.” Very few graphics of any kind are posted along with the text. But people say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and this truism is something close to the truth, but who chooses those 1000 words? The photographer? The graphic designer? The viewer? Certainly not the author (me).
As a book designer and layout artist, I know the value of graphics. I also know that the vast majority of them are what we call in the biz “eye candy,” graphics that carry no weight, just create a feel.
Since I am painting with broad strokes, I don’t use photos of individuals to help you recognize who they are; if you do not know them by name, you are in the wrong place. I don’t use superfluous “eye candy” except in moments of weakness. I will use graphs and charts to visually tell a tale that numbers might carry but not as well. And I choose my words as carefully as I can and ask them to carry the freight.
If this suits you, all aboard! If not, just check into any normal media source for a full panoply of images that have nothing to do with the subject at hand. CNN and Fox (sic) News are masters of this.
Uncommon Sense 
I think a certain amount of graphics can aid/complement the text and help the reader to ”connect the dots”.
It is not essential of course, but like a book cover it helps set the scene. Sometimes the graphic becomes an important part of the package; a collectable in its own right.
Such as a Roger Dean graphic on an old Yes LP, or a Josh Kirby illustration on a Pratchett novel.
Anyway you have the fountain pen, which is already your ‘graphic’ and trademark.
Just a thought….
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Comment by Arkenaten — September 21, 2013 @ 9:34 am |
As a book and magazine designer I know the value of graphics. And I also know that if you look at serious policy magazines, you will see almost all text. Compare those with any teen magazine or entertainment magazine and you will see two ends of a graphics spectrum. I was simply comment that I was at the edge of that spectrum, for reasons.
I am a fan of science fiction book covers amongst other things and love really good illustrations. There just aren’t many that are pertinent to the topics I write upon.
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Comment by stephenpruis — September 21, 2013 @ 9:50 am |
Never thought about it, which means i never missed it here. Not needed. carry on…
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Comment by john zande — September 21, 2013 @ 10:56 am |
In other words: Keep Calm, Carry On. Worked during WWII; I’ll try it!
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Comment by stephenpruis — September 21, 2013 @ 11:53 am |