This time of year brings along competition briefs, at the moment BAGC3 are working on competitions for D&AD, YCN and Penguin books, here is the first of my finished designs, a book cover for the novel 'perfume', a dark tale surrounded by obsession and passion.
Rationale;
My response to perfume incorporates a visual metaphor that captures a number of themes within the novel.
The visual on the face of the cover represents Jean-Baptiste’s division with 18th century French society, the majority of which were considered the ‘great unwashed’ (black sector), heavily outnumbered by the aristocracy, represented visually as a smaller white triangle, within the confines of the same shape (Paris).
The triangle also represents Jean-Baptise himself, presenting the shape as a nasal symbol, depicting a divide in darkness and light, referring to the immoral ways in which he pursued an otherwise beautiful, heavily appreciated art form (perfumery).
The cover follows a sleek, elegant form, using tight geometry and negative space to emphasise the relentlessly meticulous personality of the main character and the calculated nature of his journey.
To summarise, the design incorporates an original, detailed and well executed concept that encapsulates the dark atmosphere of the novel and its characters.
