Over on Facebook, we asked our Sovereign Grace Music fans to help us pick the idea for our next kids’ album, Walking with Wise. The technology didn’t quite work the way we hoped, so we thought we’d try again on WorshipMatters.
First, a little info. As the title suggests, this album will be 13 songs based on the book of Proverbs, with titles like Lazy Bones, A Cheerful Heart, To Tell the Truth, and Trust in the Lord. We try to aim our kids’ albums at a 6-10 year old audience, although we’ve been told that older and younger children, and even parents, enjoy them, too. Since we’re aware that not every 6-10 year old who will be singing these songs has actually trusted in Christ and turned from their sins, most of the songs are more instructional in nature and are meant to teach truth as well as express a heart to follow the Lord. We also try to weave in the centrality of Christ and the gospel so that the songs don’t end up simply encouraging a moralistic response. You know, “Just do the right things and you’ll be a Christian.”
We’re currently a little over half way through recording the vocals, which is taking place in Gaithersburg, MD, Orlando, FL, and Minneapolis, MN. Steve Cook and Ben Gowell are co-producing the project, with Sara Groves’ rhythm section providing the musical foundation. And the tracks are sounding great.
Here’s where you come in. I’d like you (and any kids in your family or that you know) to vote on which cover idea our designer, Matt Wahl, should keep working on. After voting on one cover, feel free to leave any comments on how you think it might be improved.
Lord willing, the album will be ready in mid-June.
And if you haven’t heard our other kids’ CDs, you should check out Awesome God and last year’s CD, To Be Like Jesus.
Now vote away!
UPDATE (5-20-10): Thanks for all the comments! It was a pretty close contest between Comp #1 and #3. We ended up going with a revision of Comp #1. You’ll be seeing it in the not too distant future. Thanks again!
COMP #1
COMP #2
COMP #3
I like #1!
COMP #1
Fun, attractive, professional, clean.
I vote for the first one. :P it looks fantastic!!!!
I like #1.
I also like #1
I like #3 the best.
#1 :)
While I like that 1 has more color, 3 is my favorite overall.
I like #3!
#1. It’s more practical for kids.
#1 :)
#1 hands down. I would tweak the design somewhat though, but I’m not quite sure what I’d do.
I vote 1!
I like #2
I like #1 for colorfulness, but I like #3 overall for design.
I like # 2
#1 it looks great and its very ‘kid’ish:)
MOST DEFINITELY #3
Number 1!
#1 hands down. Colorful and fun!
tHE FiRSt oNe lOoKS fUn! dAtS mY VoTE!! :>)
Numero UNO (#1)
#1!!
#3
#2 by a mile
I vote for #1…very cheery and fun to look at! It’ll catch a kid’s eye faster!
#1! it’s great!
#1 Looks like it matches better with the previous SG Kids CD.
son picked #1
i like #3
Number 3!
I vote for # 3
number 2 with more little shoes and all the eye-catching colors of number 1!
I vote comp #1
I like #3 the best.
#3 speaks to growing up in Christ, growing into music from the whole life of the Christian church, rather than growing out of cotton candy ditties.
I have to say #2. Number one is nice, but it’s just not as easy to read… maybe it could be improved and I would like it better. Number three is cute, but doesn’t communicate the concept of walking with the wise as clearly as #2. Visually, #2 is clean and cool. But I understand why people like one.
I would pick #3 but with more colors like #1
love the colors of #1 but I would choose #3 because it is children’s music and i think the format and font of it make it more reader friendly for children to be able to read independantly. :) Can’t wait!!!!
I vote comp 1 too – just think it’s the most striking and attractive overall design.
I like the message of No 2, but the design of No 3.
I like the fact that #1 is so colorful, but I think #2 is a great design to fit the theme/title. So my vote is for #2.
#3
my 3 year old picked #2 – she said “the shoes! the shoes!”
I think it would be better with more solid color in some way.
number one! :)
I like 2 because at’s easy to read one is colorful for kids maybe if you made the shoes bright colors
#3!
#1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1
Number 3, but with more color.
I like #3 – it seems to depict most accurately what the theme actually is.
#3 – makes me think of wisdom, cause he’s walking in someone’s shoes who is bigger than him (perhaps his dad!?)
I vote for #3.
My 12 yo boy says #3
10 yo boy says #1
7 yo boy says #2
6 yo boy says #1
In my humble opinion i think #1 although i might be tempted to vote #3 if it was more colourful. Can’t wait til mid-june!
#1
Number 1 if you clarify the text flow better. The “with the” gets lost because it is small, narrow, and dark.
Otherwise, Number 3. It can run as it is successfully, I think. Although you may consider adding some expression to the kid.
#3 :)
Number 2 is my choice.
The first is certainly colourful, but to me, doesn’t say anything about the ‘walking’.
#1 definitely. :)
My 7 yr old says # 2
I like the colors on #1, but would struggle to read the title if I didn’t already know what it said. I do like #2, but not sure of the kid appeal. #3 with more color could work too.
#1! They’re all great, though.
# 1 =)
#3 as it is a great image of growing into wisdom
number 3!
Number 3 in red or with more colour
Failing that,
Number 2
I don’t have any pull toward number 1
Love #3. Simple and clear. A little more color would help.
#3, incorporating more color…maybe use color in the words…
#3, it’s kinda showing how to be “cool”, a concept that many 6-10 y.o. kids hold very close
I think 3 has some potential…but to throw some honesty out there…I really think going back to the drawing board is needed.
Maybe something with an Owl and a kid both wearing tennis shoes and walking on a path.
Maybe their on a road and the front of the CD cover shows the front of them and some background and the back of the CD shows the back of them walking…just a thought!!!
#3
#3!
I like #3…
No. 3
My five year old, Madeline, very decisively voted for the first of the three options. I tend to agree.
Kyle
#3
NUMBER ONE!!
#3
I vote #3 with more color.
Cover # 1
My son Lukas who is six said, “I like number 1. It looks cool. I like how they used the worm, and the frog and the goose in the words…” I of course didn’t see any of those shapes in the words but I’m thrilled that he did. Number #1!
#3
#1
Number 1!
the kids said:
one vote for #1
two votes for #3
Definitely #1. The design shows action in the faces and hands, reflecting the title: Walking With the Wise. It shows action and the bright colors will lure the eye on store shelves or web pages.
Number 3. The wording is much clearer, and we’ve all walked in our Mom’s or Dad’s shoes when we were small.
#2, please.
I asked my kids to vote.
Here are the Waltz results:
Julia (age 4) voted for #2
Landon (6) voted for # 2
Braidin (7) chose #1
Justin (9) picked #2
Devin (10) liked #3
Number 3. It reminds me of the childrens books I use to read and the joy I get from goin back and seeing/reading them again. 1 makes me think of all the 90’s cassettes I would get at camp so I like 3 the best.
#1! But like someone else said, a color background would be nice, like bright yellow or something. And I really think the letter “i” in the first word needs to be a tad bit lower (or longer)…. I think it looks rather odd where it’s at right now. But otherwise, looks great!
Guess I’m the weird abstract guy. I like #2.
I like comp#1
I like #3 the most… #1 is too 60s, #2 is too abstract, and #3 is cute. :D
I like comp #2.
2 votes for #3 all the way!
#3 then #1
I like #3
I like number 3 for it’s simplicity and image. you have a little kid in some big feet…i like that symbolism…it seems to go with the album title a lot more than number 1
number one is colorful! i like the colors…but the letters seem to be worms….i dont’ see the “wise” connection with this one as much as i do with #3
if #3 had more colors…maybe it be better..i’m not sure..i’d have to see what it would look like..
but yeah…#3 for me!!!
3
Vote: Comp #2
Qualifications: Most thematic of the three choices. Fun, catchy colors. Great readability. The hierarchy based on size/color/positioning makes it easy to read, easy to understand the message of the graphic. There’s a sentimental aspect to the graphic. It’s messy and fun for kids. Clean layout for adults. It’s simple. It’s creative. It’s bold and different. It’s memorable.
comp. one.
I LOVE #3. It’s fun and looks like there’s a story behind that little guy – a story the songs will tell. The first on is just words – no story.
#3 with more color!
#3
#1 is the best in my opinion. Works for kids cd but also keeps the professional look.
#1
#3 is my pic — they are all nice.
#1 is very colorful and cute…but a bit hard to read.
# 1
mine is #.3…. its seems cool and good…and also it is really attractive and a simple one. that is for me guys! GOD BLESS to your new album… i hope i can have one… hehehe but im serious.
No. 1 is amazing!
Number 3!!
#3 is cute, but #2 takes the cake!
I like 3:)
Definitely #3 (with some more bright colours incorporated) – fun design that also captures some of the meaning of the album title.
#1
Number 2, all the way!
#3 from my POV
I vote #3. It’s good fun, but clearer to read than #1.
I like #1 – mainly because I know kids like COLOR. The 2nd one would be good too if there was more color.
I think #1 is so cool!
I vote for #1, although I agree with some of the other comments, I think it could be tweaked to aid readability, especially the word ‘Walking’.
#3 is my second choice, but not as colourful. I love the idea of the big shoes, suggesting learning and gettting wisdom.
My wife commented that #1 looks too similar color-wise to the cover to “To Be Like Jesus”.
We like #2 artistically, although the title could be in a cooler more kid-ish font.
I think #2 is great, it SHOWS what the album is about rather than just flat out TELLing us! Love it.
I like #3. Super!
I like the colors of the first one but #3 is my fave.
My 6 year old likes #3 and my 5 year old likes #2.
#1
3 votes (ages 11,9,& 6) for #1
1 vote (age 6) for #2
I vote 3…..but with more color!!
I think #3 fits best with the title and theme but I wish it was as colorful as #1
#1!
I like Comp 3. I’ve never been a fan of splitting words (Comp 1) and that concept was already used on the Psalms cover.
#3
3
I vote for #1, not a huge fan of the word “walking” wrapping around, but of them I like #1 the best
#1
#1.
Love the previous kids’ CD’s! Our children’s ministry is getting rocked by them. Press on in faithfulness!
#1
#1 ‘hands’ down!
#1 or #3
I think #1 and #3 look too young to appeal to 6-10 year olds. Looks more preschoolish.
And #2 is too mature. i shouldn’t have to think about WHY the cover picture makes sense.
I’m with Nathan. Back to the drawing board.
I like #3 the best!!!!
#2…simplistic artful, not over the top.
When kids draw, they’re often attempting to reflect or recreate something more complex and beautiful. Perhaps give them an album cover that offers this to them.
#1 gets my attention over the other two…
I would like #3 better if it had more color.
I vote for #1 (but 2nd choice would be 3) but number 1
I like #3. I like the big shoes.
personally 2 but i am 30 years out of your target range!
1’s ok too.
From my 3-year-old son, “I love that one (#1), I don’t love that one (#2) and I think you love that one (#3.)” He was right :)
Numero Dos
I’d pick #1 because of the colors. But also #3 because of the funny guy.
my daughter voted for the first one
#3. I like the little feet in big shoes concept because well who hasn’t walked in their parents shoes literally when they were little.
#3 for sure.
Definitely #2! but the white background doesn’t do it justice. The outlines of the little shoe and big shoe are deceptively simple, but meaningful.
A contrasting background colour like yellow/lime green would really make the shoe outlines pop.
I don’t have kids yet.
That being said, #3.
# 3 For Sure!!
I vote for #1. Love the colors! It looks fun!
#3
#3!
#2!
number 3
#3 is the best.
#3!
#3
#3
I understand the colors are more interesting for a kid in #1, but it doesn’t say anything to me about the theme like 2 and 3 do. I personally like #2, but I think #3 is the best at combining message, art, and audience appeal, so #3 gets my vote.
#1 :)
#3
No 1
My kids like #2 but I like #3
I have to go with #1
I would like 1 the best… only instead of hands on letters like the “K” and the “G,” how about feet? That way it would still be fun and colorful, but also capture the theme and be fun. “With the” might want to be in manuscript though… 6-year-olds won’t be able to read it probably.
I like 2 and 3, but in my honest, somewhat-humble opinion, 2 could just as well be a GLAD cover, and the guy on 3 looks pretty arrogant to me. :)
Hi, i’ve been a self thought graphic designer for about 15 years and want to share my humble opinion and thoughts.
I really like #3 the best, font is legible, the color and character are fun and say to me … child stuff. Except would prefer a big smile on the character or whistling with some notes in air to imply the music content. Also the hands in a more walking position.
#2 is creative with drawing shoes with laces but not as accessible to understand the content.
#1 i thought was very fun and colorful speaking child stuff right away, but it took me a few seconds to understand the lettering was reading “walking”. Also some of the letters seem to have the shape of ghosts such as the A, the K and the N, and the i is a bit hidden. If the colors could be incorporated into design #3 it might make it even more fun.
Anyways, those are my few cents :-D
I’m sure the Lord will give discernment to the cover He wants!
Love and blessings,
Monica
I like no. 1
3
#1
I vote for “3.”
Ethan Westerholm
age 7
I like the number three. Because it’s the best, isn’t it?
Owen Westerholm
age 5
Colorful wins! #1!!
Just asked my 7 year old for his UK vote, and he’s gone for number 1…. love it!
Definitely #1. Appreciate your blog!!
Like many here, I think #3 is conceptually strong, and #1 is more colorful. I’d suggest using 3 but replacing the monochrome with some of the bold colors of the other.
I suspect most of the readers whose kids voted on #1 based on the eye-catching colors, so just port them over!
I like 3 because it’s cute, has a character kids can relate to, and the imagery of aspiring to fill these big shoes and follow a great calling in wisdom is a fantastic one.
Number 2 really shows the concept of walking with the wise. That’s my vote.
I vote for #3. It speaks “kids!” And it clearly delineates the theme of the album!!
#3. I think it’s more attractive to a kid.
This grandma votes for #3. But I remember there being something about kids and bright primary colors …
I like #3 the best.
#1 is cute and colorful but I found it hard to read and understand what it was saying at first.
Thanks so much!
#1 – jumps right out and commands attention; kids will love the colors and imagery.
2 and 3 look like they’re advertising a product, maybe a book or an educational product of some sort. Doesn’t strike me as a music cd. I think #1 could be tweaked to be a bit clearer; and be careful of trying to invoke Veggi Tales.
#1 for sure! Love it!
#3 – maybe with more color like the first one
#3
I vote for #1.
my vote is for #2
Numero 1 please bob
Comp #1
#3
My 8 yr old and 5 yr old boys like Comp #1
#3
Cute and best visual statement, according to my wife Jenny
Comp #2 is the best!!
#3
i say either 1 or 3
Number 3 is great!
#1 for the color (my grandaughter would be drawn to this because of the colors)
#3 for the design. maybe give #3 the colors of #1
I asked my 9 and 11 year olds their favorite one. They both chose #3 with no hesitation. They thought it was the best by far. I liked #2.
Go with #3 – Pictures tell stories. I like the image of a child walking in daddy’s big shoes. Kids will identify with that, plus it visually supports the concept of the album.
I would add some color, though.
Again, go with #3.
Def #1!