New Player's Handbook Cover Art!

[Ogrork the Mighty]

The female figure has a lot of exposed skin, and the covering she does have on accentuates what it's covering, i.e. the push-up halter top. She is dressed as a sexual object...

Been outside lately? This artwork is downright tame compared to what girls are wearing these days.

 

[Sir Sebastian Hardin]

Leaving that aside, though, the core artwork should still be about more than two people posing in a cave. I personally might have gone for an image of a group exploring a cave.

This is the key!
Do you know why we like the convers of the DMG and MM and not the one in the PHB?
Do you know why we like the green dragon fight better?

It's about action.
Orcus in the MM is charging madly agaist a scared party off-camera.
The red dragon in the DMG is scrying on the PCs
The two guys in the PHB are... well... just standing there and looking "cool". It feels like they should be doing something
In fact, I don't think the problem is that there's only two PCs. It would be ok if there were two, exploring, fighting or whatever. (and no, the tiefling "shooting" rays is doesn't count, just look at his post)

And you know what? I think that the reason that we like WAR's art (well, me and the other guys that do, at least) is because it is always FULL of ACTION. Look at Eberron covers. Nearly all of WAR's art is action-loaded, except both PHB covers.

 

[Remathilis]

I'm glad people have loved my "literally 2-minute mock-up" version!

I realize the text is horribly incorrect, but there was enough to get the point across.

If I was to do it again, I'd try to find the font used (not sure what it is) and maybe color correct it.

Maybe...

 

[Ahwe Yahzhe]

Action

This is the key!
Do you know why we like the convers of the DMG and MM and not the one in the PHB?
Do you know why we like the green dragon fight better?

It's about action.
Orcus in the MM is charging madly agaist a scared party off-camera.
The red dragon in the DMG is scrying on the PCs
The two guys in the PHB are... well... just standing there and looking "cool". It feels like they should be doing something
In fact, I don't think the problem is that there's only two PCs. It would be ok if there were two, exploring, fighting or whatever. (and no, the tiefling "shooting" rays is doesn't count, just look at his post)

And you know what? I think that the reason that we like WAR's art (well, me and the other guys that do, at least) is because it is always FULL of ACTION. Look at Eberron covers. Nearly all of WAR's art is action-loaded, except both PHB covers.

Well, action's definitely better than posing, but I think it comes down to the FRICKIN' DRAGON fighting good guys on the cover.

Some genius (not being sarcastic) finally posted a poll - the conversation has moved over there, definitely...

 

[Urbannen]

Been outside lately? This artwork is downright tame compared to what girls are wearing these days.

Oh I know. I didn't add the observation that this art would probably not turn away potential female players since a good chunk of the potential female market sees this kind of provocative dress as utterly normal.

Edit: Navels aren't just statements anymore, they're standard issue. :\

 

[Klaus]

Well, action's definitely better than posing, but I think it comes down to the FRICKIN' DRAGON fighting good guys on the cover.

Some genius (not being sarcastic) finally posted a poll - the conversation has moved over there, definitely...

No genius involved, but hey, thanks!

 

[Bold or Stupid]

Thank you I am now tracking your IP address. What you thought I meant a biscuit?

 

[Sir Sebastian Hardin]

Some genius (not being sarcastic) finally posted a poll - the conversation has moved over there, definitely...

Well, thanks for the info. There I go! (plane shifts to the other thread and readies an action to vote for the green dragon fight)

 

[Fifth Element]

So have the D&D symbol small and out of the way. While having the Book Title larger and different font.

I don't think making the D&D symbol small and out of the way is a good idea. D&D is a brand, and you mark your brands prominently. Shoppers aren't looking for "Player's Handbook", they're looking for "Dungeons & Dragons".

 

[Fallen Seraph]

It doesn't have to be entirely minuscule the brand name, but I think there should be more distinction between the books. Like take a look at the examples I put up, you can clearly see their a WoD but the brand isn't the focus of the cover.

It is the art and the book title.