For the covers I collaborated with several different up and comming illustrators. I worked with them closely functioning as art director guiding them along as they worked to interpret these classic stories through fresh, young eyes. This collaboration was extremely valuable to the creative process and helped shape the final outcome of the project.
Each book would be fully illustrated having an image for each chapter or section of the book. In addition there would be a foreshadowing pull quote that would help pull the readers into the unfolding story without giving away too much.
As an educational tool, making classic novels more visually engaging would be an important component in getting younger generations excited about reading 100 year old stories.
The interior typography was updated in a contemporary yet classic style utilizing typefaces drawn by living typographers. This is an important yet subtle detail that would enhance the design and giving book and design lovers an extra bonus.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck; Illustration by Gary Musgrave
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling; Illustration by Linda Kim
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson; Illustration by Christopher Kosek
Dracula by Bram Stoker; Illustration by Christopher Kosek
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane; Illustration by Brian Scott
The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier by Jakob Walter; Illustration by Christopher Kosek
How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis; Photograph by Jacob Riis
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair; Photograph by Christopher Kosek
The first thing one might notice is that the cover has a full wrap around illustration. There is also no title or author name on the front cover.
Not putting a title or author on the cover is risky, it encourages the customer to investigate the intriguing, eye-catching cover by flipping through the book and looking at the inner flaps and title page. The more the customer flips through the book, they will start to see the interior illustrations, and at that point most of the sale has already been made.
In addition a perforated bookmark that references the front cover is included on each book’s rear flap.
Although these books are not directly competing with bestsellers, and are most usually displayed on shelves with their spines facing out, a Point of Purchase (POP) display card containing title and author name would be included in each carton for retailers who wanted to display the books on a table top.
