OUGD503 PENGUIN BOOKS DEVELOPMENT

I began developing my chosen idea, which was combining the three gradient shapes into one, to represent three perspectives within one narrative. By studying the previous winners, I noticed that a lot of them used textures within their work to translate a theme from the book a lot better. This gave their cover designs a lot more context to the story within. To take my idea further I thought I'd try using this technique to further improve my design.

The book was mainly set within school grounds and tackles with the issue of bullying quite often as a common them throughout the book. I attempted to replicate this idea by using texture on my design. By printing my current idea out onto normal printer paper and damaging it to a certain extent then scanning it back in, I have attempted to translate damaged school papers. This gives the design connotations of negativity relating to the bullying aspects of the book and its setting in a school.

Now I have experimented with the texture, I need to go back and complete the typesetting of the book cover. I need to include the authors name and obviously the title which could possibly play along the shape of the gradient image. 

Now I began adding the final touches to my design, for instance the type setting on the cover and spine. Upon receiving feedback, I was made aware that the type needed to be way more playful. I would do this by incorporating the title onto the image, making it one and the type seem less distant. To begin the next process, I selected the classic penguin marber grid to aid me in type setting and the arrangement of all the other pieces of the cover such as the logos and barcode.

I made sure the typeface was suitable one for the select age range. I selected Ubuntu as the typeface for my design because it is a sans serif type, giving it a less serious aesthetic and something more approachable for the younger generation. It also has softer edges and rounded ends surrounding every aspect of the typeface so it isn't too sharp or aggressive at all. Finally, to match the 'school work' aesthetic I had previously mentioned, I slanted some of the type on the back cover to represent a more childish slap dash approach the setting.

I used the central gradient image as a colour pallet in deciding what colour each of the pieces of type should be. Light blue resembling Auggie as the main title and the others scattered throughout the blurb and the front cover. After some further critical feedback it was made aware to me that there should be no monochromatic colours, for instance the white that travels through the whole jacket. This gives it a more grown up serious aesthetic and also a sense of being unfinished. To rectify this I finally chose one of the colours I was yet to select, to fill the jacket with more colour, playfulness and legibility.