Penguin By Design is a comprehensive history of the Penguin book covers from when it started 1935 to when this book was published in 2005. It serves as the perfect starting point for this project as it is all about Penguin. Understanding were Penguin has come will inform my way of working inline with book cover designs previously done, this gives an opportunity to see what works and how my designs could possibly be new and innovative.
As the book is shows so many examples of beautiful book covers just picking some that caught my eye in beneficial. This cover illustrates one of the original grid systems that made the Penguin books so recognisable, clarity is always at the forefront of their books and getting communication across must be considered.
These covers show again the use of a uniform grid for type and image but showing much more illustrative imagery. Finding the balance of type to image will be key in the designs.
The 'Strategy for Survival' cover shows how this combination of the grid and illustrative imagery can be used together but remaining recognisable and eye-catching, as well as displaying the content of the book.
This image stood out as different to me even though it is just a plan the gird system of the books the hand drawn and effect may not have worked at the time but now due to the overload of only digitally created covers this more tactile and hand made design stands out
Along with the Orange and Blue, this Green is recognisable to the Penguin brand, the covers above show how different styles can be shown within the singular grid system and use of colour. The graphic shapes on show as well as use of one or two colours relate to the two books highlighted in these briefs.
The art style of these covers is ideal for the themes portrayed in 'In Cold Blood' and 'To Kill A Mocking Bird'. The graphic use of typography alongside very visually simulating and apparent imagery make each cover stand out in it own right. Both To Kill and Mocking Bird & In Cold Blood's content is filled with twists and turns touching on some emotional topics this should be portrayed within the cover design.
This cover for a book on Shakespearean Themes and An Approach to Hamlet. The images show an almost jokey side to Shakespeare but remain within this graphic and eye-catching style. More playful designs can be a fantastic way of showing something different and even more engaging and different.
Book covers that are mainly typographic in a more high-end and classical style. Typography will be central to this project, as communication is key to a cover insuring this communication is as effective and direct as possible.
These images show this theme of graphic and strong typography, a style used often in penguin books is using simple imagery to portray a theme or object that takes a focus in the book. Identifying what this could be within the book may be a effect way of engaging a viewer without giving away the story. Something that is for me is key to book cover design is the spine, creating a eye-catching and alluring spine can be the difference between the costumer buying and not buying the book. These images show really really bold designs on the spine.
Being adaptable and different keeps the designs fresh and innovative something that Penguin has done for so many years to insure that books are not forgotten. These designs show the classic Penguin style but using more modernist imagery and simple shapes, colours and photos. How the designs fit within these categories is fundamental to the designs.
As the book moves closer to the present the designs really change as a part of this, these designs are all so so different and use different illustrative style, hierarchy of content, and more and less clear communication of content. Once again this is great as a designer to see as the covers I design can take any almost any style and form into account.
These 1999 Modern Classics covers are some of my personal favourites in the book, the combination of both graphic imagery and this almost surrealist and no so obvious imagery make for a different and captivating covers. Using had written type is something that can totally set designs apart and make them more engaging especially within the more and more digital world of design.
These books use photography at the forefront of the designs, this could be a design method to look into, how can images show a story. The typographic content takes a back foot within the designs. Iconography is very evident with these covers this is another design strategy to keep in mind for this project.
As purely typographic works can be a way of making designs unique in their own right these images of more contemporary covers that use only type to display their content. This could be something to consider for this brief. The choice application and overall delivery must, however, be spot on and really considered.
These icons may not help with research but it is great to see the different adaptions of the penguin over the years, what has struck me of all theses covers and images is the diversity much like these penguins there is so much room for experimentation with this project and a real oppituinity to create something different, innovative and alluring.
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