Initial Book Cover Ideas

Initial Ideas

By starting this project with a collection of research from a variety of sources I was able to explore the narrative in a range of visual approaches. This abled me to build on a variety of ideas. I approached each design idea with a different process, I experimented with painting onto photographs, using screenshots from the film, only using typography and collaging with actual pages from the novel. 

Idea no.1 - Mixed media

Using photographs of the clutters family I painted over their faces with red and blue paint. The red paint symbolising the bloody death of each member while on the back, the same process is used but with blue paint to illustrate the coldness in which the murders were done. Although the visuals were imaginative it didn’t exist as a strong enough representation of the book. 

Idea no.2 – The Criminals

Focusing on only one aspect of the book - the minds of two the criminals, I started sketching their faces in a minimal childlike style. Part of the core narrative of the book is how the murders were done with no reason behind it -  making one of the key themes the psychology of the criminals.

In attempting to represent this part of the narrative I gathered thoughts on how a child could also be seen to do things without reason due to their lack of understanding of it. Therefore, drawing the two criminals in a childlike form, with red painted mouths holding a placard, the design aimed to visualised the confused and psychotic state they are perceived as in the book. Although I liked this design I thought it was too vague. 

Idea no.3 – Layered Screenshots 

From watching the film, I gathered a collection of screenshots that if pieced together would visualise the entire feel and narrative of the book. In thinking about how the narrative is based on a crime being uncovered I layered up the screenshots, overlapping photos of the detectives, police and criminals. This approach to the design however was too obvious and as a visual with so much photographic imagery nothing stands out. 

Idea 4 – Taking a quote and bringing into the spotlight 

In the process of uncovering a crime key information to the big reveal could be over looked. Like a detective searching for key information I looked for a piece of text within the novel that is important and ought to be highlighted and brought into the spot light. The quote that states there was “no clues, no logic, no witlessness, no finger prints and no murder weapons” stood out as an interesting line. By taking it and placing it on a blank page it brings attention to it that it otherwise might not have got. 

Other mock up Idea: 

Study Task 3 - Book Cover Typographic Treatment

Book Cover Typographic Treatment 

Initial Ideas - Thumbnail Sketches

Book Analysis

• What is the main idea(s) explored in the book?
• What is the main thrust of the narrative? What are the key events and scenes?
• What is the context (socio-historical, cultural, established school of thought/paradigm) that the book was written in?
• What is the genre?

Study Task 2 - Book Cover Analysis

 Book Cover Analysis 

This design has a much harsher tone. With typography taking up the whole page there is a continuous busy state around the page, this to some extent as a visual could appear overwhelming. The disjointed letters and fragmentation created also creates a psychotic aesthetic which fits into one of the novels themes of it being a psychological thriller. With the design being in black and white with only cracks of red creeping through it is defiantly noticed as a unfriendly narrative.

With the book and glasses suggesting reading into something, this design straight away is recognised as being a novel about an investigation. The simplicity of the design doesn’t give away any information however into what is being investigated, giving it a bigger sense of mystery.  The layout allows the title to stand out and with the details being concentrated at the bottom of the page, it gives the design as sense of weight too. This also prevents it from being too busy and gives it an overall clean aesthetic. The colours used are very cold and with the word ‘cold’ being a part of the title this is emphasised and fits into the unwelcoming storyline.

The four blood splats used in this design references the four murders that take place in the novel. Although this book may be known to a wide audience it might also be new to others and therefore this designs works well in its concept being understood by some readers whist being only noticed as showing a book involving a bloody story to others. Although this design uses the letters to tell part of the story and the red splats appear bold and would be easily identified, personally as a visual it appears too bare and doesn’t stand out as eye catching as the other designs.

Other Book Cover Designs: 

Research - Previous Book Cover Winners Analysis

Analysis of previous winners for the adult non-fiction book cover designs 2016:

 From the comments left from the judges of the winning design last year, it was repeatedly mentioned that it was liked for its bold, clean and refreshingly simple aesthetic. This approach to the design was popular as they noted it has a strongly impactful effect. With other judges also commenting on how it was very confident and relevant to the genre of the novel. With research into the winners it highly impacted my approach to illustrating these qualities too and made me move away from designs that strayed too far away from the main body in which the novel is based around.

In the comments for the design that came second place it was quoted from the judge “I can imagine myself picking up this book curious to read what is on the receipt.” With my novel being based around an investigation I too wanted to create a sense of curiosity within my design. 

Study Task 1 - Book Analysis

Who is the author and what interesting information can you find out about them?

Interesting facts about Truman Capote:

HE CARRIED A SECURITY BLANKET.

During his early years, Capote lived with distant relatives in Alabama, including his mother’s relation, Nanny Rumbley Faulk, whom Capote lovingly called “Sook.” Sook made baby Capote his own baby blanket, which he carried around with him even into adulthood. Capote reportedly even had the blanket on the day he died.

HE HAD A RECURRING NIGHTMARE.

It took place backstage at a theater. "I have a very important part to play," he once told Gloria Steinem. "The only trouble is that I’m in a panic because I don’t know my lines… Finally, the moment comes. I walk onstage… but I just stumble about, mortified. Have you ever had that dream?”

HE TAUGHT HIMSELF HOW TO READ AND WRITE.

Truman was classified as a “lonely child,” and before he even entered formal schooling, he used that loneliness (along with his obvious smarts) to teach himself how to read and write. By 11, he was already writing his first short stories.

• What is the main idea(s) explored in the book?
• What is the main thrust of the narrative? What are the key events and scenes?
• What is the context (socio-historical, cultural, established school of thought/paradigm) that the book was written in?
• What is the genre

Colour Theory - Lecture Notes

Colour Theory:

Colour is contextual

Colour is arguably infinite

It’s are we see different colours as we are always surrounded by different colours that affect what colour we see. Colour does not exist on its own, it’s always in relation to something else.

Physical -> Physiological -> Psychological

Colour is linked to /fundamentally based on light

Monochromatic light: A signal wavelengths generate

Some wavelengths we can’t see.

Longer wavelengths are red

Shorter wavelengths are violet

Our perception of colour is based on the eye receiving light that has been reflected from a surface of an object. It’s the surface that provides the information as much as the light itself. Colour being contextual takes on the colour around it. Black is not a very reflective colour and absorbs most light.

Key fact:

The eye contains two kinds of receptors –

Rods: Covay shades of black, white and grey

Cones: Allow the brain to perceive colour

3 types of cones

1      Sensitive to red and orange light

2      Sensitive to green light

3      Sensitive white

When a signal cone stimulates the brain it perceives the corresponding colour.

Red, green and blue – only colours we see a proportional adjustment between these colours everyone perceives colour differently.

Complementary – the chromatic opposite of one colour

The relationship between each colour:

Yellow           Purple

Orange         Blue

Red               Green