OVERVIEW
The goal of this project was to redesign a book cover within one week. I chose to redesign the cover of the novel Severance, by Ling Ma.
In designing the cover, I took an illustrative approach that conveyed the central themes of the novel, which examine consumerism and the monotony of modern work culture during the collapse of modern society.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables include the book cover elements (book cover design, front cover, back cover, and the spine) and a process book.
NOVEL SUMMARY
Severance follows the story of Candace Chen, a millennial working as a passionless and unfulfilled Bible product coordinator in New York City. When a global plague called Shen Fever breaks out, society collapses and Candace joins a group led by power-hungry Bob, heading to a place called the Facility, where Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew.
OBJECTIVES
It was important to me during the brainstorming process to retain the modern, minimal look of the original covers, while introducing themes that were central to the plot.
DESIGN PROCESS
Through the illustration process, I chose to emphasize the metaphorical act of severing. There is a distinct disconnect between Candace Chen's obsessively devoted work and the reality of the Shen Fever. Her identity as a first-generation immigrant is severed when she leaves behind her past to establish a new life in the United States.
FINAL COVER
In the final version, the drawing was vectorized and the figures originally filled in with black were updated and filled with a cool gray to increase the contrast between the figure in pink and the middle ground and the background. The sans-serif type was chosen for the text of the novel to convey a modern look. The plain appearance of the type enhances the visual appeal of the illustration.
