Through a series of permutations we are going to develop a visual narrative that engages our audience and communicates the content of 3 different, but related books. We will achieve this through a study of signs using icon, index and symbol as our base vocabulary.

The following definitions are derived from several sources including
This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics
by Sean Hall and Type & Image:
The Language of Graphic Design by Philip B. Meggs.

Specs
3 Book Cover Jackets (front, back, spine, and flaps)
7.5×16 in| 2.75 in flaps | 0.5 IN spine
PDF in color, full bleed, and crop/score marks
DUE April 2st

Project Brief and Schedule
P3_Bookcovers_2026

InDesign Document Specs

STAGE 1: Digital Sketches in Black/White (minimum 9 permutations)
Version 1: composition using an icon for 3 book covers.
Version 2: composition using an index for 3 book covers.
Version 3: composition using an symbol for 3 book covers.

STAGE 2: Introduction of structure and image/word interplay
(minimum 6 permutations – choose two composition paths from Stage 1 sketches)

STAGE 3: Selecting 1 direction
(3 permutations – choose one composition paths from Stage 2)

References

The hilarious art of book design | Chip Kidd

Abstract: The Art of Design | Christoph Niemann: Illustration

James Barnard |LOGO Presentation

Redesigning Lolita

50 Books 50 Covers – 2020

Iconic Book Covers in History

John Gall, Book Designer

Peter Mendelsund, Book Designer

52 Women Book Cover Designers

Nick Misani, Book Covers

More: book-cover-inspiration
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Featured Image: Book cover series designed by Ned Drew and John Gall