IDEA Grad 2025 Cohort 2 redesign book covers using imagery and typography to reflect the theme
The second project in IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II with Vida Jurcic is a chance for students to interpret a story creatively using imagery and typography to reflect the theme. Students draw upon what they have learned so far in the Survey of Design. It’s also a chance for illustrators to shine.
Check out some book cover redesigns by IDEA Grad 2025 Cohort 2 including “Macbeth by William Shakespeare” by Catherine Rosales (shown above)!
“Macbeth is one of my favorite works by Shakespeare. I wanted to make sure that the cover I made for it showed how gruesome and bloody the story is. That’s why I chose the red and black colors, as well as the overall rough look of the drawing.”
“Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury” designed by Angela Aguilar
My process always starts off with research and moodboarding. While I saw a ton of clever designs, I noticed that they more or less had similar imagery; flames, matches, a book set on fire, etc. After some brainstorming, I decided to put a spin on things and make the book itself reflect its story and the universe it's set in—so I designed the book cover as if it were burnt.
“Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton” designed by Ariana Thompson
We were asked to recreate a cover for a novel that already existed and give it a new “makeover.” I selected “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. This project was the very first book cover I’ve ever attempted to tackle. The process itself was more of a discovery for my brush techniques as I had never utilised textured brushes on a digital medium. My greatest challenge was creating and utilising a hand-made typeface for the title to appear bone-like. Although, I believe it worked in my favour.
“Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami” designed by Chris Rodgers
The book is in the magic realism genre so the setting is surreal. I wanted the cover to feel equally surreal. The frame relates directly to the plot and symbolizes the self reflective themes of the novel. I took the photo of the beach in English Bay at sunrise and added the blended the frame in with Photoshop. The title is so small on the cover, I wanted the viewer to have to come close and investigate to read it.
“The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton” designed by P. Verdon
Vida assigned us to redesign a book cover for any novel of our choice, with the objective to express the meaning of the book title through appropriate typography. I decided to redesign the cover for the Outsiders, and I wanted to capture the era, conflicts, and symbolism the book had.
“Dracula by Bram Stoker” designed by Samantha Hall
“Demian by Hermann Hesse” designed by Yohahnah Loker
My cover for Demian by Hermann Hesse was intended to convey themes of duality and good vs evil as portrayed in the book. I was inspired by the duality of playing cards, and thought to suggest good and evil as two mirrored figures picking fruit from a tree (inspired by the tree of knowledge). After feedback and revision I ended with this as my final result!
“This course examines graphic design and typography from the mid-20th century to the present day through an integration of history, theory, and practice. Students are introduced to modernist, post-modernist, and information age movements as an aesthetic and philosophical basis of modern graphic design and advertising. Applied projects, including the integration of concept with design principles, are integral to the course.”
