GRAPHIC DESIGN / ILLUSTRATION / BOOK JACKET DESIGNBook Cover Design
Through research, design an original book jacket inspired by the art works of Harlem Renaissance painter, Aaron Douglas.
COMPLETED
Student Project: Fall 2021
PROGRAMS
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
DESIGN SPECS
Overview
Research the life and art of Harlem Renaissance painter, Aaron Douglas.
Create a book jacket inspired by Douglas’s artwork.
PROCESS
Research
Researching Douglas’s work, I learned that he crafted and created his own unique style that blended African art as well as European art styles. Using subtle geometric shapes and color shifts, his work is deceptively intricate and uses motifs in art deco and cubism to create beautiful and powerful depictions of African American life.
EXPLORING THEMES
Thumbnail Sketches
I found Douglas’s work quite unique and inspiring and wanted to use similar elements he used in art deco. The linear and geometric sketches are my interpretation to reflection of this.
Douglas’s work also often uses dark colors and themes to create a tapestry of vibrancy and movement. I was playing with this idea when sketching the floral and vine motifs.
LEARNING FROM THE PAST
Final Cover
Dark yet vibrant color palette inspired by Douglas’s works.
Floral and vine design to create a sense of flow and movement inspired by Douglas’s ability to capture a sense of music and rhythm.
Bold art deco inspired typeface to represent the time period of the Harlem Renaissance.
Soft flowing script typeface paired to tie into the floral motif.
