Journal Entry #2: Books!

So, recently I have had to put a lot of thought into book covers and typefaces being used. I have been assigned two book assignments in my classes. For VC 370, I am currently designing 3 illustrations for a book of my choice, and in VC 332, I am giving a current book a complete re-working. While I was looking for ideas and trying to gather as much reference as ever, I began perusing my book collection, and quickly snapped 3 photos of covers that I feel use type strongly.

First, Exteremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathon Safran Foer. I love this cover because of the way the type is used and intermingled with in the shape of the hand. The handprint is important because it relates directly back to the story, and the main character, Oscar. I think the designer did a wonderful job varying the shapes of the type and making a slightly distracting design, as well as a completely competent one. Once you read the book you close th cover and have a new appreciation as to why it is what it is. I appreciate this.




Next, I like David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day. I like the self illustrated chalkboard type tat the designer used. Because most of the short stories contained in the books are from David's childhood and schoolyears, I feel as though it is an appropriately fitting example of type usage.



Thirdly, I chose, Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs. The reason why I feel that this cover is succesful is because the book is so twisted and about heroin use and bohemian living of sexuality and huffinh, inhaling, shooting, or smoking anything a junkie can get their hands on. So, naturally, the type is placed off kilter and sideways, which makes the reader uneasy, and feeling a little topsy turvey.


I love each one of these books for different reasons, and I believe that their cover art just helps drive that idea home.