I was given the task of choosing a book that I would redesign inside and out. This would include styling and formatting the entire body text. I loved the book The Secret Garden as a child and chose that novel to redesign.
I started the illustration for the cover. I created a digital painting that captured the wonder and beauty of the book. Instead of featuring the robin, I would use a Raven to capture the neglect and sadness of the little girl.
Illustration mock up.
I designed the front and back cover of the book. I also created a mock up to see what it would look like in real life.
Flat design for the book jacket
Front and back mock up for the cover
I formatted what would be over 380 pages for the body of the novel and created interesting details for the chapter pages.
The pages margins fallow the Tschichold Canon page layout or the “Golden Harmony.”
I created a textured image for the cover that resembled textiles and stitch work.
Making The Book
After I formatted and designed the book, I printed it and began sewing and binding it. I used traditional methods with cotton thread and wax and enjoyed every step of the process.
This gave me a peek at the world of book building. It didn’t turn out perfect, but for my first book it was quite lovely! There was difficultly cutting the edges of the novel and too much was trimmed after binding it.
I never had the opportunity to complete it but I really enjoyed every bit of the production.
CHERISH IRELAND 