Book Jacket Design
This module immerses students in the intricate world of book jacket design, encouraging them to explore diverse illustration styles and techniques. The structured breakdown of research, preparatory work, and final output allows for a comprehensive understanding of how to translate stories into visually compelling and relevant book covers. The emphasis on different mediums, typography integration, and technical proficiency in Adobe Illustrator fosters a holistic learning experience, preparing students for the nuanced challenges of publishing projects.
"Edie Bakes Cakes" - Susanna Crossman
"Edie Bakes Cakes" by Susanna Crossman tells the tale of Edwina Fray, a TV cook and punk gourmet celebrity. One day, a small green dragon appears in her kitchen, claiming to be Isabella Beeton, a famous 19th-century cookbook author. Isabella, now a dragon, is on a mission to teach Edie how to cook the perfect cake. As they embark on this unusual culinary adventure, Edie discovers she's pregnant, adding a twist to the story. Amidst baking cakes and grappling with newfound motherhood, Edie's life takes a magical and unexpected turn.
For this fiction tale I really wanted to incorporate the fantasy aspect of the story. Incorporating the green dragon that appears in Edies kitchen. Along with that I wanted to play around with certain aspects of the storyline without giving too much away. Therefore incorporating a cake in the design helps the reader to get an idea of the story while supporting the title benign “Edie Bakes Cakes”. Small details like the black nail polish and bright pink counter will also be incorporated to only be understood by the reader after they have read the whole story.
"The First Expedition" - Amy Shearn
Nina Benkowitz, an ordinary civilian selected for a Moon expedition, steps onto the Moon's surface with fellow travelers after a journey in stasis. However, she finds herself in a bizarre, idyllic replica of Earth, reminiscent of her past experiences and memories, orchestrated to appeal to her desires and shaped by her online presence. Confusion and skepticism arise among the travelers as they grapple with the surreal nature of the Moon Colony, suspecting a mind control experiment or a deceptive simulation. The story unfolds as Nina questions the authenticity of her surroundings and confronts the disconcerting realization that their Moon experience might be an elaborate fabrication
Following the eerie genre the book cover will be a collage of images in b&w portraying the scene of a spaceship on the moon. The bottom of the cover will be the moon surface with a spaceship standing upright on it. Earth is seen in the far background indicating they are not home anymore. The title will appear in the shadow of the spaceship warping with its shape. I also want to experiment with photocopy moving effects to add to the eerie feel of the story.
"Creating a better Leaf" - Elizabeth Kolbert
"Creating a Better Leaf," an article from The New Yorker by Elizabeth Kolbert published on December 13, 2021, delves into the fascinating world of plant biology and the potential for engineering leaves to address environmental challenges. The article explores the work of researchers who are trying to redesign leaves to be more efficient at photosynthesis, enabling plants to capture more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigate climate change. It delves into the complexities and possibilities of manipulating plants at a genetic level, discussing how this research could potentially revolutionize agriculture and combat climate change by developing plants that can sequester more carbon. The piece also raises ethical and environmental considerations tied to genetic engineering and the need for public awareness and discussion as we move forward in this field.
For this non-fiction story I want to keep the cover pretty literal. The title "Creating a Better Leaf," will take up 70% of the cover to emphasize the text. There will be a illustration of a seedling at the top of the cover with its roots spreading downward morphing into circuit wires to contribute to the idea of advancement and technology. These circuits will spread over the cover connecting the titles words with each other to form one big circuit.
