Patrick Ness Approves! - BAIL103

After posing my final book cover on my illustration Instagram page, I received a notification that Patrick Ness himself had liked my design!

It's good to know that the author approves of my design concept!

Final Book Design - BAIL103

This is my final book cover design for 'More Than This' by Patrick Ness. The design itself is based around the concept of digital vs nature, as this theme is very strong throughout the book. The street on the cover is supposed to represent Seth's home town in England, which was hand drawn by myself, by patch-working multiple houses together to create a scene just like what's described in the book. 

When designing, it was important for me to keep reminding myself of the different elements that were kept a secret, and so there were certain things that I had to avoid giving away. I felt like the digital glitches were just enough to evoke curiosity in the viewer, while at the same time create a good representation of the story inside.

I chose to keep the background of my design monochrome, so that the digital glitches would contrast well against it. I used green as I felt like that it gave the most obvious connection to something digital, as it reminds people of the old coding screens on computers, as well as circuit boards. The colour palette is also very similar to a piece my Dan Mountford, which I referenced in my research, which really helped me to develop my design into something really visually striking and effective. 

I also decided to fill the entire spine in green, so that it would look like a big 'glitch' and would also tie in the whole book. I also made sure that some of the spine colour overlapped over to the front and back covers, to add to the overall aesthetic. I didn't want to go overboard with the green squares, as I didn't want them to dominate the design. In my experiments I found that simple was better, and so kept this in mind in my final thing.

To really enhance the digital element, and to give my book another dimension, I hand cut and placed gold and silver vinyl shapes. This enhanced my design, as well as echoing the textures and patterns as seen on circuit boards. Another texture that I added to my design was the 'grunge' background, which also mimics the condition of the deserted world that Seth found himself in. I felt like it was important to have some elements of texture on the book cover, as it helps to stop the book from looking 'flat', but also I think that the distressed look almost looks like the book itself could have been found by Seth in his house: dusty and a bit worn. 

The typography of my design was very important for me to get right. Half way my design process I wasn't happy with just placing some text on a page. I really wanted it to interact with the image in some way. During my research process on book cover design, many of the books that stood out to me were the 'clever designs' whereby part or all of the text was integrated into the image. After settling on a street, I started to think about what would naturally occur in the background, and this is what lead me to the idea of telegraph poles and electricity pylons. 

After trying out loads of different concepts, I finally managed to narrow it down to my top 2 designs. Both were completely different which is why I liked them for different reasons. It took be absolutely ages to decide on my final design, even after asking multiple people on their preferences I managed to split people's choices. In the end I went for the one that had the very slight majority, and also it was the one which I think stood out more from a distance. 

Second design concept mock up

The reason why I loved my other design was because of how the text was made from wires, which I felt like was appropriate for the book. Also the electricity pylons also furthered the whole 'digital' and 'electronic' themes that I was trying to convey. Nevertheless, the design that I chose still conveys this, as it uses wires too, and it also interacts well with the image with the 'T's existing as telegraph poles. Although the rest of the type is relatively simple, I had to do this in order for it to match the style of the pole. I also decided to hand-render the text in order to give it an organic feel, rather than using a generic font on the computer.

Overall I am very pleased with the final outcome. I have really enjoyed the process and challenge of creating a book cover, as I really pushed myself into finding the best and most effective solution in representing the story. I love all of the symbolism that I was able to integrate into the design, and the multitude of textures that really make the book stand out.

Although I chose a final design to hand in, in the real world I wouldn't have to decide myself as it would the the author or artistic director determining the final design. Therefore, my top two designs would be the two that I would present to the client, and then they would choose which one represents the story the best. 

Artist Influences

- Jason Booher - his simplicity and cleverness of his designs definitely influenced my thought processes and visions that I had for my final book cover design.

- Sarah Coleman - She was one of the typography illustrators that I looked at early in the project, and I loved how she incorporated the text into the image itself.

- Charlotte Day - Perhaps more of a looser connection, but our designs have similarities in the way that the text is kept relatively simple, but it's what surrounds it which makes it stands out. 

Group Crit Feedback & Reflection 2 - BAIL103

Since last weeks group crit, I had developed my project a bit more. I've continued my image gathering research, and looked into the book cover artist: Jason Booher. I also sourced loads of images of glitches, in both art and typography, which allowed me to see different ways of creating the effect I was after.

I then brainstormed the different subject matters that I could manipulate and 'glitch', I decided to focus on streets and houses as I felt that this would hold the most symbolism. It was the world that Seth lived in that was digital, and a 'glitch' in the system is what led him into waking up in the real world.

We discussed the composition of my book cover, and all came to the agreement of the singular street running across the two sides was the strongest. I think I can easily run into the trap of overcomplicating my design by wanting to represent too much in such a small amount of space. 

We also discussed colour and materials and came to the conclusion that I should experiment with contrasting colours in order to highlight the 'glitch' elements. Also this contrast would mirror the contrast between the two worlds that Seth experienced. In terms of materials that I should use, I said that the houses have to be quite 'tight' and precise in the way that it is rendered, so that when I go to manipulate and distort the image, it withstands these changes. 

Moving forward, I need to draw my 'street', which might have to be patch-worked together using images from Google Maps. After I need to render my typography and manipulate both the text and image in order to create the 'glitched' appearance. Then I think I will try out different colour combinations, and to resize and reposition the elements on the page in order to create the most effective outcome.

Book Cover Inspiration - BAIL103

A) I love the texture in this design, as it stops the image from looking too flat. It also adds interest and atmosphere to the design.

B) I like how the illustrator has allowed for the typography and image to interact with each other, which allows the two to exist as one, rather than two separate objects on the page.

C) A great example of how physical objects can be used to create typography in a way that it also creates the image that represents the book.
D) I love how simplistic and beautiful this book cover is. The simple ink/watercolour textures work really well at creating an interesting yet simple background design.
E) This cover demonstrates how a key symbol of the book can be used as a silhouette, in which a more detailed image is shown behind. I also love the clever placement of the sun, which serves two purposes.
F) Although quite simplistic, the design gives the impression of loneliness and the sense of space. This shows how negative space can be used to create an impact.
G) This book cover highlights how text and image can link together to create a really effective image. Also the use of light and dark contrasts show how you can lead the eye to a particular feature.
H) This cover demonstrates the effectiveness of juxtaposition, which really fills the image with meaning and symbolism.
I) I love how simple this cover is, and how the text itself becomes the object (the shark). The careful placement and consideration of shape and colour add emphasis to the focal point of the book.

Here is a link to my Pinterest board which has helped me with my research and ideas development - *click here*

Group Crit Feedback & Reflection - BAIL103

After presenting my initial ideas and thought paths for my project, I have now a more focused plan on what I want to pursue further.

My peers liked the direction that I was taking things, i.e combining/contrasting electrical and digital imagery with natural and organic forms. Some suggested to look at instruction manuals or medical illustration to see how they lay objects out on the page - this may give my design a more futuristic or electronic feel. Also with the element of contrast that I'm trying to achieve, people suggested combining and mixing different styles, which perhaps would give the effect of the two worlds 'colliding'.

The main discussion of the group tutorial was that I should develop the idea of 'glitch art' further, as I could create loads of exciting imagery from it. I could also try to create depth in my image making by experimenting with layers and different textures, which should make my images stand out. During this process I should also try to develop some typography which would compliment my images on the page.

The designs that I get from these processes should then be placed on the book template, ready for next week's group session.

Book Cover Artists - BAIL103

Shelley Revill

I really love how Revill has used the text to create the iconic form of the whale. This technique is not only very effective and clever, but it is also an excellent way of saving space by combing both text and image together.

Jason Booher

This is a great example showing that sometimes the cover doesn't have to be perfect in order to be legible. The way that the text has been written and organised has been chosen to reflect the tone and themes of the book.

Peter Strain

Strains combination of strong silhouettes with text background is particularly effective. Normally the silhouettes are a key icon of the story, which makes each cover instantly captivating and also gives you an indication to the themes of the novel.

More Than This Blurb - BAIL103

What happens after death? Where do you go? Is there actually anything there at all?

Patrick Ness explores this idea of an afterlife, where a boy drowns and dies, but then wakes up... alive. He struggles to work out what is real and what is fake, while exploring this weird yet oddly familiar world that he finds himself in... Is this hell? Can he ever escape?

Or perhaps there is more to life?

"It's possible to die before you die" - Patrick Ness

Group Moodboards - BAIL103

As part of our next task we worked together in groups to create a series of moodboards focusing on the different aspects of the book: More Than This. 

This was an extension from what we had all done individually, but it was valuable to see how others interpreted the book and brought new ideas to the table. 

Illustrated Type/ Location Type Extension - BAIL103

M for Mouse (my cat)

I furthered my workshop task by creating typography in location. Instead of using a earwig, I decided to simplify it down to one letter, and placing it in location with the thing that it relates to.

Extension - Marshmallow Typography - BAIL103

*click to enlarge*

Me and Ellie decided to push our typography further, and tried to use marshmallows to create type. The outcomes from this were successful, despite the shapes of the marshmallows themselves being quite boring. The shadows created from the light also added a dramatic effect to mundane objects. 

Shadow Words - BAIL103

Working with Ellie, we both experimented with creating 'shadow type', using the phrase 'lurking within the shadows'. We cut out simple letters which we stood upright, and used a light to cast some really interesting shadows:

3D Block Alphabet - BAIL103

Working with Ellie Tolfts, we both created each letter of the alphabet using a limited selection of wooden blocks. We decided to give ourselves a challenge by making each letter free standing, rather than lying them down on a surface, which did prove difficult for some letters. However, this technique also enabled us to play with the shadows which gave us some really successful and effective results:

Typography Illustrators - BAIL103

Sarah Coleman

Coleman has created over 400 book covers to her name, and has a large client base to which she creates hand drawn type and letting for products and advertising campaigns. 

In the two examples shown above, I love how she has incorporated the text into the image, so that the two work together in harmony, rather than existing separately on the page. 

Studio 2 & 3

2 & 3 are a creative team who specialise in creating 3D rendered typography for advertising, animation and instillations. 

Although these are not created physically, they successfully demonstrate the power and effectiveness of 3D type.

Charlotte Day

Charlotte Day creates these beautiful botanically inspired type, which hold a very modern feel in comparison to more traditional botanical illustrations. She has created book covers, packaging and editorial illustrations.

The thing that I love about Day's work, is how the typography itself remains very simple and basic, yet its what she adorns them with which makes them stand out. This technique is perhaps something that I may want to experiment with when experimenting with different types of typography later in my project.

Ink & Stamp Typography - BAIL103

Here are some experiments that I created during the 'illustrated type workshop'. I found that these tasks stretched my knowledge and understanding of what I thought I knew about typography. Also the ink experiments enabled me to practice with conveying emotion within the text itself.