“You read it, you try and find the soul of the book, something that makes it special, and make it come alive.”
— Jason Booher, Art Director at Penguin Random House
Graphic design, also known as communication design, is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. As graphic designers, we commonly use some combination of type and image.
In this course, you have studied formal elements and how the relationship of these elements on a page can communicate an idea. You have also studied the expressiveness and hierarchy of typography.
In Unit 03, we will combine what you have learned in the first two units by designing a seemingly simple artifact: a book cover. What you will find is that despite its simplicity, designing/making an interesting, thought-provoking, attention-grabbing and relevant cover can be quite challenging.
Description
Design an 8x10” book cover for a fairy tale from The Brothers Grimm collection. The fairy tale will be assigned randomly.
Keep the result from being cliché, expected, or obvious. As a designer, developing a strong concept is necessary. Anyone can push some things around on a page, but can you generate unexpected ideas that make someone want to pick up the book up off the shelf?
Learning Objectives
— Implement brainstorming and conceptualization in the design process
— Understand the idea of visual hierarchy
— Understand concepts, themes and main ideas from a story
— Communicate an idea using type and image
— Implement a design methodology/process
— Consider color’s role in communicating a concept
Process
Read the text.
Write a synopsis in 3 sentences.
Write a synopsis in 1 sentence.
Write a synopsis using 3 words.
Write a synopsis using only 1 word.
Look up word definitions and synonyms/antonyms.
Make visual connections and parallels to key words and themes. Visit a bookstore. An actual bookstore. Preferably used.
Sketch. Sketch. Sketch.
Create 3 rough comps.
Review printed, rough comps.
Refine.
Review printed, refined rough.
Present final book cover.
Parameters
You may create your cover using any media including, but not limited to computer software, pencil, pen, paint, charcoal, collage, etc. It is not sufficient to simply find an image online and slap some text on top. You must combine type and imagery. The imagery can be a drawing, collage, photography, etc. You are not limited in your materials.
Final
The final will not be printed, but will be presented on the large screen. Each student will give a presentation walking us through their process of this project starting from beginning to the final cover design. This will be similar to the presentation you give in Unit 01. Use this file to mockup your cover. This presentation will replace the printing of your cover and the Process Book that was discussed on the first day of class. Remember to make your presentation in 16:9 ratio. Keep it 3–5 minutes.
Your presentation should include, but is not limited to:
— A cover slide with name and fairy tale title
— Final cover design
— Process work, ideas, etc.
How did you get from nothing to the final design?
Description