DB5 - Book Cover Initial Ideas

Design Brief 5 - Book Cover Initial Ideas

OUGD603

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This was my life idea which was using imagery as the main focal point of the cover which reflects the themes within the book itself. I went onto Unsplash and searched for an image that represented life and this was the image that I thought would work the best for this cover design. I then added all the necessary type that is required on the cover, I used a very contemporary typeface to ensure I was hitting the brief which was to design a contemporary book cover design for this title.

I then moved onto developing the image itself and I did this by duplicating it placing both images on the book cover and then tried the design with multiple different type layouts.

After producing the previous book design I then moved onto experimenting with different images within the design. Again I looked up photos titled with the themes on the book on Unsplash and these were the best photo I found. The first was make the book look like a horror or murder story which is far from what the book is. The most successful design is the far-right design as it clearly represents family. However, I don't think some image and type can not explain the themes of the book sufficiently.

Within this design, I began to take a more contemporary approach to this design as I only used illustrations and type within the design rather than imagery as I found it was hard to convey the themes within the book through the use of a single image. I worked with a selection of circles and apply an overlay layer style to them all so the sections were visible. This was mean to show how two things at the same time can cause a third unexpected thing. I also tried this design with various different type layouts however I didn't think this cover was successful at convey the books themes.

After identifying the previous designs weren't as successful I then moved onto working on the Ipad to create some illustrations for my design. As I found these would work better for conveying the themes within the design. I drew various different people to intend to use them to show their different journeys in life and show that everything 'isnt all haha heehee'.

  

Once I drew the people illustration on the Ipad I then brought them over into illustration to explore using them within my designs for the cover. I wanted to show their different journeys in life so I focus on showing where they have been and where they are going via the use of a line. In the beginning, I used a graphic line to show this however at the end I experimented with adding the title to the line therefore mixing both the type and their journey within the cover. 

I then moved onto trying out another design Idea, which showed a similar them as the previous design which was to show that life isn't a straight lines and things can change. I illustrated this by drawing a line and then then using a pin to show different stages within people life. I added another 2 lines in a similar way to show that everyone's life is different and you take still take a different path and keep moving forward within life. I then produced another similar life however using 4 lines and each line was in a shape of a letteform which then created 'life'.

The last design I produced was designed by using the Ipad to sketch out he title of the book cover. I experiemented with various different brushes within the Ipad program, however I found that this brushed worked the best. I also added quick notes on the side of the design so I wouldn't forget when I brought it into illustrator. However I really liked this and I wanted to add the sketchy notes as part of the design. This is because I thought this showed the past pace of life and you only have a small amount of time to write. I really liked this design as I believe it has the most potential and looked the best out of the design I produced and it relates to the themes within the book itself.