TYPE + IMAGE: Book Jackets

In this day of high speed internet and instant information, do we still take time to appreciate the classics. Is information like classic literature, art, poetry still pertinent and vital? How would you encourage a 17 year old to put down the phone and pick up a book? Perhaps that book just needs to be presented in a new and interesting way?

Your problem for this assignment is to re-package a familiar piece of literature in a way that is appealing to younger readers (16-29). Your task is two-fold. First, you must redesign the book cover. It should stand out amongst the overcrowded shelves, AND it should represent the story in an honest way.

The most successful book covers are those that give a hint of the story inside, without revealing all the details.

• Design the front, back, spine, and flaps of the book.
• The book cover must include, the title and author. The Penguin logo must be on the spine and back. Download it here.
• Give your book a barcode by visiting this site, or download this vector file.
• Make your book as much as possible like a “real” book. Add an ISBN number, reviews, price, and other details.
• There are no color or typographic limitations on this assignment.

OBJECTIVES

• Increase your ability as a planner and form giver
• Develop an awareness of the relationship between design and meaning
• Increase and improve the quality idea generation (quality & quantity)
• Understand and identify a “target” audience
• Increase conceptual skills through research

PROCESS

You will be required to maintain thorough documentation of your process throughout this and all assignments in this class. Keep a collection of everything pertaining to this project (project sheet, research, sketches, thumbnails, copies, etc.) and bring it to each class meeting. This collection will be turned in at the completion of this assignment and will be part of your final grade.

PROJECT COMPONENTS & PRESENTATION

• One book cover mounted on 15″ x 20″ black mat board
• One book cover attached to an actual book
• One process notebook

DEADLINES

• Mon Sept 19 – Introduce Project/ Research / Begin thumbnails sketches
• Wed Sept 21 – 3 full-color (8.5”x11”) computer comps due for book cover
• Mon Sept 26 – revisions due for book covers / 1 full-color comp (cover, back cover, spine, flaps)
• Wed Sept 28 – Revisions of book cover due
• Mon Oct 03 – Finished book cover due

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Book and book cover design resources:

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