Luscious Book Covers

Remember when books were all the rage, when no one knew what Kindle was, let alone online reading? Yes these are now amazing conveniences, but there is something about a well created book that gives me this sensory and visual (and obviously fake) nostalgia, I was after all only born in 1989...scary.

How luscious are these book covers though? Penguin classics commissioned new cloth bound and embroidered book covers for some of their most classic and beloved novels, such as Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, and MY personal favorite....Dorian Gray.

My favorite design blog, designspongeonline.com, was able to capture an interview with the book cover illustrator and designer, Coralie Bickford-Smith.

I loved reading about her design process for these covers. Her challenge was to create a series of unique covers that represented each individual book but that was still conformed to the general series.

Her solution: create "patterns that all conform to the same grid – it seemed the best way to impose a recognizable style that could work across a series of ten or more books, while allowing the covers to convey something of the character of the individual titles." (Coralie BS).

I love this. The idea of keeping it on a super imposed grid is genius because it unites all the novels when together, but their separate color palettes and motifs give them their own look. It might not be a novel idea (oh me and my puns....) BUT, it's a great design solution; it's clean and modern but still has an edge that give books that old world character, and it definitely fit my aesthetic. Who wouldn’t want to collect them all??!?!! (And a brilliant marketing tool for aesthetes like myself who like pretty things)

Some of the motifs she uses really play on themes and emotions from novels. Dorian Gray, for instance, has motifs of peacocks on a grid. The blatant color contrast between black and white in Dorian Gray also play on the theme of duality in the novel.

It is really interesting to gain insight into the design process of books. A lot of people see novels and actual books as something that will die out eventually to the technological monster. In the long run, it might be the more eco-friendly route.

However, lest not forget the feeling of holding a well crafted novel in your hands, designed immaculately and with intention. Don't you just want to dive into that creativeness?

More eye candy, enjoy!