Very simple idea but it seemed perfect for this cover.
This cover just got approved. It will be printed on semi translucent paper over a printed case. It is the story a marijuana smuggler in the caribbean. The smuggler's name appears in the negative spaces of the marijuana leaves on the printed case. The three horizontal lines represent the distinguishing markings they but on their shipments.
Blood Pudding
Art Corriveau
This is a book of short stories. The title story was the inspiration for the cover. The lead character Paul had a Mémère (word for grandmother in Quebec) and he remembers a painful episode from this childhood. "She sat in that rocking chair in the kitchen. I was always afraid to find her in there alone. She would pull up her dress so that I could stand closer to her, between her legs. She would call me her little bonhomme. Would kiss me on the lips..." I ordered this vintage apron online and photographed it for the cover.
This is a book of short stories. The title story was the inspiration for the cover. The lead character Paul had a Mémère (word for grandmother in Quebec) and he remembers a painful episode from this childhood. "She sat in that rocking chair in the kitchen. I was always afraid to find her in there alone. She would pull up her dress so that I could stand closer to her, between her legs. She would call me her little bonhomme. Would kiss me on the lips..." I ordered this vintage apron online and photographed it for the cover.
Good to a Fault
Marina Endicott
This book is short listed for a Giller prize. The main character is an older woman who is involved in a car accident with another vehicule. From the back cover: "Absorbed in her own failings, Clara Purdy crashes her life into a sharp left turn, taking the young family in the other car along with her. When bruises on the mother, Lorraine, prove to be late-stage cancer, Clara—against all habit and comfort—moves the three children and their terrible grandmother into her own house." She becomes a surrogate mother to the children which as the novel progresses gives her life a new richness and meaning. It is fleeting however as the mother of the children eventually recovers and takes back her children.
The idea for this cover came from a wall in our house where our kids marked their heights from an early age. I am sure the same wall can be found in any house with children. In the case of the wall markings on the cover there is only one or two entries, as it were, because the children were not there long enough. Her experience echoes that of any parent. Your children pass through your life and then they are gone, leaving behind only remnants of their presence.
This book is short listed for a Giller prize. The main character is an older woman who is involved in a car accident with another vehicule. From the back cover: "Absorbed in her own failings, Clara Purdy crashes her life into a sharp left turn, taking the young family in the other car along with her. When bruises on the mother, Lorraine, prove to be late-stage cancer, Clara—against all habit and comfort—moves the three children and their terrible grandmother into her own house." She becomes a surrogate mother to the children which as the novel progresses gives her life a new richness and meaning. It is fleeting however as the mother of the children eventually recovers and takes back her children.
The idea for this cover came from a wall in our house where our kids marked their heights from an early age. I am sure the same wall can be found in any house with children. In the case of the wall markings on the cover there is only one or two entries, as it were, because the children were not there long enough. Her experience echoes that of any parent. Your children pass through your life and then they are gone, leaving behind only remnants of their presence.
Everything You Know about Indians Is Wrong
Paul Chaat Smith
This has already been posted but there are two updates. The author gave his approval and I made contact with the photographer who is letting me use the image. Here is what the author had to say: "The solution you've provided combines the issues of representation, history, museums, and art in one striking and elegant package. Although my approval is not required, if it were this concept has my enthusiastic endorsement." Part of what I love about doing cover design is where a design can take you. I often find images all over the internet and with a bit of determination I can usually track down the photographer and get permission to use the image. It presents a nice alternative to only relying on Royalty Free stock. Thanks to faboo mama for the photograph. Check out her blog.
2nd option presented
This has already been posted but there are two updates. The author gave his approval and I made contact with the photographer who is letting me use the image. Here is what the author had to say: "The solution you've provided combines the issues of representation, history, museums, and art in one striking and elegant package. Although my approval is not required, if it were this concept has my enthusiastic endorsement." Part of what I love about doing cover design is where a design can take you. I often find images all over the internet and with a bit of determination I can usually track down the photographer and get permission to use the image. It presents a nice alternative to only relying on Royalty Free stock. Thanks to faboo mama for the photograph. Check out her blog.
2nd option presented
Chicle
Jennifer P. Matthews
The publisher wanted something punchy and fun as befits the subject. It took a bit of convincing but the the repeating cover type, which is kind of key for the packaging concept, made it into the final design.
This is the art that I used to create new pack.
The publisher wanted something punchy and fun as befits the subject. It took a bit of convincing but the the repeating cover type, which is kind of key for the packaging concept, made it into the final design.
This is the art that I used to create new pack.
Fair Bananas
Henry J. Frundt
The "banana type" one below was the first one I presented but in the end the simpler and stronger concept won out.
The "banana type" one below was the first one I presented but in the end the simpler and stronger concept won out.
Another type only cover. This is the final accepted version.
I presented this one knowing that it wouldn't be accepted but felt I had to at least show it. What is the simplest way to show "Morality Without God?" Leave "God" off the cover. Having it on the spine reinforces the concept.
How many authors have suggested using the "scales of justice". This time it was my idea. I wanted to see if there was an original way to do it.
I presented this one knowing that it wouldn't be accepted but felt I had to at least show it. What is the simplest way to show "Morality Without God?" Leave "God" off the cover. Having it on the spine reinforces the concept.
How many authors have suggested using the "scales of justice". This time it was my idea. I wanted to see if there was an original way to do it.
Identity/Difference Politics
Rita Dhamoon
Another 2 colour cover. Just got approved. This is from the brief: "The three main ideas are the production of differences which don't take full form, interactions between identities, and disruption." The author wanted me to try the idea of movement caught on slow camera which would be one way of expressing her central arguments.
Another 2 colour cover. Just got approved. This is from the brief: "The three main ideas are the production of differences which don't take full form, interactions between identities, and disruption." The author wanted me to try the idea of movement caught on slow camera which would be one way of expressing her central arguments.
The Art and Science of Stanislaw Lem
Peter Swirski
From the back cover: "In The Art and Science of Stanislaw Lem, American and European scholars offer an inter-disciplinary analysis of his influence on Western culture and of the creative partnering of art and science in his fiction and futorology". For this type only cover I wanted to add the notion of discovery and examination.
From the back cover: "In The Art and Science of Stanislaw Lem, American and European scholars offer an inter-disciplinary analysis of his influence on Western culture and of the creative partnering of art and science in his fiction and futorology". For this type only cover I wanted to add the notion of discovery and examination.
Pragmatism and Social Hope
Judith Green
Green maps a contemporary form of citizenship that emphasizes participation and cooperation and reclaims the critical role of social movements and nongovernmental organizations. The challenge for this cover was to find a new way of expressing the notion of different entities coming together to form a group without resorting to the usual visual clichés.
Green maps a contemporary form of citizenship that emphasizes participation and cooperation and reclaims the critical role of social movements and nongovernmental organizations. The challenge for this cover was to find a new way of expressing the notion of different entities coming together to form a group without resorting to the usual visual clichés.
A Long Eclipse
Catherine Gidney
From the back cover copy: "Gidney shows that the decline of the Protestant presence on University campuses started with the swirling moral kaleidoscope of the 1960s." I decided to do a type-only cover with a twist. The "U" is emerging from an eclipse.
From the back cover copy: "Gidney shows that the decline of the Protestant presence on University campuses started with the swirling moral kaleidoscope of the 1960s." I decided to do a type-only cover with a twist. The "U" is emerging from an eclipse.
Nunavut
Rethinking Political Culture
Ailsa Henderson
Nunavut is the new Canadian territory that was established in April 1999. That date appears on the bottom of the license plate.
Ailsa Henderson
Nunavut is the new Canadian territory that was established in April 1999. That date appears on the bottom of the license plate.
Chef
Jaspreet Singh
This is the second cover I have done for this writer. 17 Tomatoes was the first one. Jaspreet was involved in the creative process for both covers in ways that really added a lot to the final result. After I came up with concept of using a red cricket ball to tie into the "red tomatoes" from the title of 17 Tomatoes, Jaspreet tracked down an actual cricket ball and suggested using the tiger as an appropriate image.
Chef takes places on the Siachen Glacier on the border between India and Pakistan. This disputed territory is a war zone on the top of the world. From the cover copy: "Chef Kirpal, seriously ill, returns to Kashmir after a gap of fourteen years to cook a wedding meal for a General's daughter." His father is buried in a cravace inside the glacier and he is also on a journey to excavate the body. The first sketch I did using spices and a piece of ice was not representative of the novel. In my discussion with Jaspreet he explained that Chef had another important meaning that I was missing - a military commander. The second option I presented showed the actual glacier and had a feeling of drama that I really liked. I was getting close but it was still laking another dimension. I found the image of a cravace on the Siachen Glacier on the website of an Indian photographer. He gave us permission to use it after 2 or 3 attempts at navigating the language barrier. For once the use of "a novel" is not a gratuitous design element. It indicates the point that is the focus of his journey. He would like to excavate a part of his past that has kept him moving forward.
option 1
option2
This is the second cover I have done for this writer. 17 Tomatoes was the first one. Jaspreet was involved in the creative process for both covers in ways that really added a lot to the final result. After I came up with concept of using a red cricket ball to tie into the "red tomatoes" from the title of 17 Tomatoes, Jaspreet tracked down an actual cricket ball and suggested using the tiger as an appropriate image.
Chef takes places on the Siachen Glacier on the border between India and Pakistan. This disputed territory is a war zone on the top of the world. From the cover copy: "Chef Kirpal, seriously ill, returns to Kashmir after a gap of fourteen years to cook a wedding meal for a General's daughter." His father is buried in a cravace inside the glacier and he is also on a journey to excavate the body. The first sketch I did using spices and a piece of ice was not representative of the novel. In my discussion with Jaspreet he explained that Chef had another important meaning that I was missing - a military commander. The second option I presented showed the actual glacier and had a feeling of drama that I really liked. I was getting close but it was still laking another dimension. I found the image of a cravace on the Siachen Glacier on the website of an Indian photographer. He gave us permission to use it after 2 or 3 attempts at navigating the language barrier. For once the use of "a novel" is not a gratuitous design element. It indicates the point that is the focus of his journey. He would like to excavate a part of his past that has kept him moving forward.
option 1
option2
Clowns and Rats Scare Me
Cary Clack
This is a collections of Columns by Cary Clack. Every once in a while you are given a title for a book that is so strong that it practically drives the design process. I wanted to find the simplest way of combining clowns and rats in a single concept. I only presented this one cover concept. Just got the word that cover is approved.
This is a collections of Columns by Cary Clack. Every once in a while you are given a title for a book that is so strong that it practically drives the design process. I wanted to find the simplest way of combining clowns and rats in a single concept. I only presented this one cover concept. Just got the word that cover is approved.
Ellington Uptown
John Howland
Originally I intended to make the cover look like a vintage NY subway car with all the type worked into the signage. It seemed a little predictable so I went with his famous orchestra in the shape of an arrow pointing up. I wanted it to emulate a jazz poster from the era.
Originally I intended to make the cover look like a vintage NY subway car with all the type worked into the signage. It seemed a little predictable so I went with his famous orchestra in the shape of an arrow pointing up. I wanted it to emulate a jazz poster from the era.
Circling Home
John Lane
From the cover copy: "Centering an old, chipped saucer over his home, he traced a circle one mile in radius and set out to explore the area. Circling Home recounts the ‘adventure travel’ he does within that circle." Some covers do themselves. I found a chipped saucer in my kitchen cupboard and traced out a one mile radius circle on a satellite image of the author's home.
From the cover copy: "Centering an old, chipped saucer over his home, he traced a circle one mile in radius and set out to explore the area. Circling Home recounts the ‘adventure travel’ he does within that circle." Some covers do themselves. I found a chipped saucer in my kitchen cupboard and traced out a one mile radius circle on a satellite image of the author's home.
This is book about wealth and privilege in New York city at the turn of the last century. I must have spent an entire afternoon trying to get the concept with the white glove laid over a period map of the Bronx to work but gave up in the end. Maps have been used so much on cover designs that it is very hard to use them in an original way. I ended up using the type "The Bronx" from the legend of the map so all was not lost. It still needs some refinement but the general concept is there.
Living Waters
Margaret Wooster
When you are doing covers for University Presses you rarely have the budget for stock photography. I created this cover out of four Shutterstock images (below). Shutterstock, for those who don't know, is a royalty free subscription image service.
When you are doing covers for University Presses you rarely have the budget for stock photography. I created this cover out of four Shutterstock images (below). Shutterstock, for those who don't know, is a royalty free subscription image service.
The Collectors of Lost Souls
Warwick Anderson
Sometimes you get such a great image to work with that your only job as a cover designer is to get out of the way.
Sometimes you get such a great image to work with that your only job as a cover designer is to get out of the way.
The Last Well Person
Norton M. Hadler M.D.
I found this Dr. Suess-like image and thought it could work really well for this cover. The only thing I added was the hospital signage above. This cover was a tough one to strike just the right chord.
I found this Dr. Suess-like image and thought it could work really well for this cover. The only thing I added was the hospital signage above. This cover was a tough one to strike just the right chord.
The Indian Who Bombed Berlin
Ralph Salisbury
This book of stories deals with the horrors of war. These covers represent two executions of the same idea. I only presented the one with the illustrated clouds and blue sky because I wasn't happy with the monochromatic feel the other one. I also like the contrast with the beautiful blue sky and the impending devastation. I found the painting of sky with clouds and added the bombs.
This book of stories deals with the horrors of war. These covers represent two executions of the same idea. I only presented the one with the illustrated clouds and blue sky because I wasn't happy with the monochromatic feel the other one. I also like the contrast with the beautiful blue sky and the impending devastation. I found the painting of sky with clouds and added the bombs.
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