book cover design

the madrigal —

A book cover designed for a novel written by Dian Day. The design draws on key narrative elements from the story; main characters who are twins that follow contrasting life pathways, and a climactic moment when lightening strikes.

project details —

The book follows the lives of twins who are led down very different paths in life. Nearing the climax of the novel lightening strikes and this results in an epiphany for one of the main characters. The lightning scene changes his life from that moment on, leading him down a better path. These elements of the novel became the foundation of the book cover. Underlying themes of suicide, bullying, and holding secrets brought opportunities for darkness.

For the book title I used typography to express directional contrasts, bonding, and twins through layering, mirroring and staggered letterforms. This all sits on a background of lightning. The lightning photograph, taken by Katherine Knight, has been made blue and black to accommodate the darker themes in the novel.

A book insert was also designed to pair with the cover.