OUGD503 - Responsive - Penguin Books - Saul Bass

The work of Saul Bass is much like Bob Gill, creating artwork identifying and answering a singular problem. Often this can be the wrong solution that is rushed and not thought out, however sometimes and especially for an book cover where the visuals and delivery is the total focus this approach can be the most effective solution.

In contrast to Bob Gills work Saul Bass has more levels of detail and finishing. Striking a balance of communication and complexity of artwork is key for this cover. 

The use of hand cut imagery, type and shape for these artworks lend themselves amazingly to the theme of a book cover, the tactility and extra dimension created through these artworks is engaging and something different from what is seen today.

Saul Bass's work for titles in film are world famous due to there direct communication and amazing combination of something beautiful to look at and displaying the content as effectively as possible.

The naive imagery really resonates with everyone, these images look as if they could have been made by a child but under further examination the level of care and detail are evident. 

The choice of colour make the designs really eye-catching and apparent something key in book design. 

This theme of taking the content and displaying it in its simplest form is on show here, 'The magnificent Seven' shown as seven marks, these marks could be displayed anywhere and would always communicate 'The magnificent Seven'.

For this brief combining type and image together is a theme to possibly look into. Saul Bass's work often portrays this to great effect. Blurring these two forms of communication into one is a great way of making the design feel as one. Clarity in both is also something to consider. Communication is key. 

Here another example of how type and shape can be used together to create something different. This artwork also shows how something like a page of a book can be used as part of the designs, this image instantly signifies the viewer that the content will be about a book about truth. 

This artwork for West Side Story has so much content but main information to be communicated is so clear and couldn't be mistaken in anyway. The artwork works alongside the type as they have been designed together and in no way communicate anything different. This design style could be an excellent way of communicating the covers for this project. 

The work of Saul Bass is incredibly inspiring and works on so many levels to so many audiences. Identifying exactly what needs to be communicated.