The Numbers Game is a near-future political drama penned by my dad. I thought I should probably help to promote him in the best way I could, so wanted to design a cover for the novel, while at the same time challenging my creative skill-set outside my normal comfort zone.
I've always wanted to try book design because it is a creative format that sits out on its own. As the primary marketing tool for any author, an initial telling snapshot to reel the individual in, it really does carry a burden. As consumers, we are seduced impressively easily by things that draw the eye, therefore the requirement for any untested writer, any author not already a household name, or backed by the PR machine of a publishing house, is to be the stand-out personality on-shelf.
While researching for this project, I came across an interesting article about book cover design that highlighted the main principles of design to consider as:
- The design must be bold and eye-catching and conspicuously different from everyone else's, but...
- Not too much!
So with these points in mind, I set to the task of making my dad the next George Orwell.
For creative inspiration, I looked to the book blurb...
I believed it important to provide a piece of design with a strong, succinct message, and so focused on the core statistical theme of the book, implementing a minimalist approach for impact. A clinical typeface was utilised, functional and technical in tone, to provide an insight into book content, with wordplay in the title used to draw attention to the challenging “euthanasia” theme that runs throughout.
Enjoy!
I've always wanted to try book design because it is a creative format that sits out on its own. As the primary marketing tool for any author, an initial telling snapshot to reel the individual in, it really does carry a burden. As consumers, we are seduced impressively easily by things that draw the eye, therefore the requirement for any untested writer, any author not already a household name, or backed by the PR machine of a publishing house, is to be the stand-out personality on-shelf.
While researching for this project, I came across an interesting article about book cover design that highlighted the main principles of design to consider as:
- The design must be bold and eye-catching and conspicuously different from everyone else's, but...
- Not too much!
So with these points in mind, I set to the task of making my dad the next George Orwell.
For creative inspiration, I looked to the book blurb...
How would a Prime Minister win support for the most divisive political programme in the history of Parliament? How would he deal with the explosive consequences for his own family?
After the collapse of opposition parties at the polls with unprecedented spoiled ballots the Conservatives are forced into a coalition with the Serene Party. Their manifesto is radical: compulsory euthanasia for the old, sterilisation of the poor, punitive laws to deter obesity, legalisation of recreational drugs and capital punishment for those convicted of murder, backdated to January 1, 2000.
Prime Minister Stephen Stone wins the support of the country but divides and destroys his own family.
I believed it important to provide a piece of design with a strong, succinct message, and so focused on the core statistical theme of the book, implementing a minimalist approach for impact. A clinical typeface was utilised, functional and technical in tone, to provide an insight into book content, with wordplay in the title used to draw attention to the challenging “euthanasia” theme that runs throughout.
Enjoy!
