A year after publishing his photo/travel book Happy Hours for Photographers, photographer Frank Menkel began reconsidering the cover. Although the book was well received, his friend James Gibson—an author himself—felt the cover could be stronger and suggested that Frank contact me.
I was immediately interested. Frank’s photography is exceptional, and he had an enviable problem: a folder filled with outstanding images that could potentially work for the cover. It’s rare to have so many strong options to choose from.
Competitive Research
I began by researching comparable travel and photography books—best sellers and popular titles in the genre. Most shared similar visual conventions: full-bleed photography, an expansive sky at the top to accommodate title and subtitle, and clean sans-serif typography. Understanding these visual tropes helped establish both expectations and opportunities for differentiation.
Title and Subtitle Constraints
Frank’s title and subtitle were already “set in stone.” Changing them would have required a new ISBN, which he wanted to avoid. Instead, he chose to republish the book with a redesigned cover, an improved interior layout, and additional locations—allowing the book to evolve without losing its existing identity.
Narrowing the Image Choices
With so many strong photographs, the challenge became selection. Based on the competitive research, I narrowed the choices to four images that offered adequate sky space for the title, subtitle, and author name. Two additional considerations guided the process:
- The spine text needed to remain legible.
- As a hardcover book, the design required a large bleed so the artwork could wrap seamlessly around the covers and inside flaps.
Layout and Decision-Making
I presented Frank with four cover concepts. He initially gravitated toward one image, but we both agreed that others felt stronger overall. That led to the key question: Should the cover feature a well-known location or an “unknown” one? At that point, we didn’t have a clear answer.
Asking for Feedback
To gain perspective, I created a PDF showing all four covers and shared it with friends and colleagues. Over lunch with two retired friends, both immediately favored the fourth option—San Pablo Pier—describing it as more distinctive and visually interesting than typical photography book covers.
I then shared the designs at a St. Louis Publishers Association meeting. While some attendees preferred the dramatic sunset image, the majority were drawn to the wooden piers stretching into the water. Their reasoning was consistent: the image felt unique and clearly reflected the subtitle—Discover breathtaking locations in California & Nevada that are not commonly known.
The Final Choice
Frank agreed. The pier image captured both the spirit of the book and what makes it different from others in the genre. Decision made.
It has been a pleasure working with Frank. He is organized, thoughtful, and maintains an ongoing list of goals—qualities that make collaboration both efficient and enjoyable.
Projects like this one are a reminder of how important collaboration is to strong design.
If you’re considering a redesign for your book cover or interior layout, I’d be happy to talk.
