Process
The task would last 4 weeks, and I was going to spend 3 of those creating thumbnails which I shall now present to you, but my approach to thumbnailing for this task went a bit differently. As I'd taken a conscious effort to try to use more dynamic and unexpected colours. In an attempt to remedy an issue that was brought to my attention about my work, especially my personal work. This issue being an over reliance on 'literal colour'.
Over the course of this task I have come to terms somewhat with some of my habits as being out of taste, But I'm glad I took this approach for this task none the less, since It think it's a compromise between the 'familiar' and the 'new' for my work. I took heavy influence from sources such as 1920s German expressionist films like 'the man who laughs' for Dr. Jekyll which resulted in something very interesting that may lead me to interesting avenues in the future.
I also watched a lot of YouTube videos by people who reviewed book jacket illustrations, and even watched a few videos on how other people approach book design. I then made a board of images on Pinterest of some eye-catching designs, not necessarily for my exact books, but either for the same genre or used some visual element in an interesting way I figured I could learn from or take inspiration from.
I also read the entirety of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and watched many video essays and analysis videos about these books to try to get to a proficient and thorough understanding of these texts.
I also learned a considerable amount on photoshop, (and likely have many more grey hairs from the stress it gave me) which was a dreaded field I knew I had to cross some day. A field of expertise and comfort for others, but a minefield for sure for me. Many sleepless nights trying to apply colour to selected areas and get whatever cruel wizards who control the 'Magic selector' to work in my favor. I honestly felt I was in the final circle of hell being eaten infinitely by the devil himself like Brutus for the crime of wanting a custom font that read "Frankenstein".
Over the course of this task I have come to terms somewhat with some of my habits as being out of taste, But I'm glad I took this approach for this task none the less, since It think it's a compromise between the 'familiar' and the 'new' for my work. I took heavy influence from sources such as 1920s German expressionist films like 'the man who laughs' for Dr. Jekyll which resulted in something very interesting that may lead me to interesting avenues in the future.
I also watched a lot of YouTube videos by people who reviewed book jacket illustrations, and even watched a few videos on how other people approach book design. I then made a board of images on Pinterest of some eye-catching designs, not necessarily for my exact books, but either for the same genre or used some visual element in an interesting way I figured I could learn from or take inspiration from.
I also read the entirety of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and watched many video essays and analysis videos about these books to try to get to a proficient and thorough understanding of these texts.
I also learned a considerable amount on photoshop, (and likely have many more grey hairs from the stress it gave me) which was a dreaded field I knew I had to cross some day. A field of expertise and comfort for others, but a minefield for sure for me. Many sleepless nights trying to apply colour to selected areas and get whatever cruel wizards who control the 'Magic selector' to work in my favor. I honestly felt I was in the final circle of hell being eaten infinitely by the devil himself like Brutus for the crime of wanting a custom font that read "Frankenstein".
Frankenstein Thumbnails
here I was experimenting with the idea of making the book covers icons on dark backgrounds, like an old Tome, I decided against it in the end. But it was something I thought which may have some potential early on.
the icon developed into an electric chair, and the bolts became eventually a font. This electric font idea would actually stay the whole way through the process as I thought it looked exciting and threatening. It also tells the viewer that it may have something to do with science and the scenes in the mental zeitgeist to do with those mid 20th century universal films on Frankenstein come to mind.
Ideas of Frankenstein behind a tree, nothing spookier than someone stalking you from behind a tree right?
from the very start I conceived of a colour palate for Frankenstein, through most of the work the leading colours seemed to be purple and green. These colours would be changed later on, but this limiting of my pallate was useful and limiting. It meant my images needed to had this dynamic 'pop' to it. I figured if it worked with less colours that meant it had a sort of graphic quality to it which was probably quite useful and eye-catching.
from the very start I conceived of a colour palate for Frankenstein, through most of the work the leading colours seemed to be purple and green. These colours would be changed later on, but this limiting of my pallate was useful and limiting. It meant my images needed to had this dynamic 'pop' to it. I figured if it worked with less colours that meant it had a sort of graphic quality to it which was probably quite useful and eye-catching.
these both have a bit of a horror movie quality to them, which wasn't something I ended up thinking was appropriate.
Playing here with the idea of the creation of Adam, which references one of my favorite lines in the book. Also it references the common running theme in the story of creation and one's creation changing the creator.
after this one, the colour scheme changed to colder ones. As I try to depict a very different kind of scene, a scene of Frankenstein chasing the creature through the wilderness, this one specifically depicting the snowy tundra.
Final Works : Frankenstein
planning for the final cover design of Frankenstein with the spine and background.
some work I did on planning the fonts for the Frankenstein Cover
Final Frankenstein illustration on a larger size
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Final version of the Frankenstein Book jacket
Final design and roughly what it would look like when laid out.
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Thumbnails
from this point on it becomes very obvious the strong German expressionist influence
This is the last of the thumbnails before the actual work for this, There were a lot more thumbnails for this one because it was quite challenging to make something that felt unique to specifically this story that wouldn't be confused with Frankenstein. I think the top hat, streetlights and font in the end helped give the cover a unique colour. mix that n with the style and it says pretty well that it's something different wholly onto itself with a mysterious and threatening streak to it, taking place in foggy and dark Victorian streets.
This is the last of the thumbnails before the actual work for this, There were a lot more thumbnails for this one because it was quite challenging to make something that felt unique to specifically this story that wouldn't be confused with Frankenstein. I think the top hat, streetlights and font in the end helped give the cover a unique colour. mix that n with the style and it says pretty well that it's something different wholly onto itself with a mysterious and threatening streak to it, taking place in foggy and dark Victorian streets.
Working on fonts
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Final designs without text
Adding text to the cover
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dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Full cover
Final version of Dr. jekyll & Mr Hyde BOOK JACKET
Lord of the Flies
A Page where I tried to play with different colors and type faces to see if I could come up with anything that would spark a new series of ideas.
The Design I de-facto settled on after making it, deciding it was a pretty striking yet simple image that would fit the book pretty well since it has a privative and childlike look to it.
this is me debating finally if certain details like the hand print in the 'O' were too much for the illustration. In the end I thought it wasn't particularly clever and a bit of visual cliché.
The Design I de-facto settled on after making it, deciding it was a pretty striking yet simple image that would fit the book pretty well since it has a privative and childlike look to it.
this is me debating finally if certain details like the hand print in the 'O' were too much for the illustration. In the end I thought it wasn't particularly clever and a bit of visual cliché.
Final version of Lord of The flies BOOK JACKET
All three together as a set
hopefully, as they all share design similarities such as a figure with a pole like object to his left. Also notable as a commonality is the text over the figure which has a steep angle coming from the Middle-left down to the bottom-right. These elements should portray successfully that these could be run of book jackets done as a series by one artist. In a manner which should successfully satisfy the brief.
I also added in the scholastic logo and barcode to aid the hypothetical client visualise the work as a finished, professional commercial product.
I also added in the scholastic logo and barcode to aid the hypothetical client visualise the work as a finished, professional commercial product.
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