Cover

Wheels – Book Cover Design

Client/Context: Self-initiated project based on original creative fiction.

Objective: To design a compelling and impactful cover for "Wheels," a novel exploring themes of struggle, cultural identity, and memory through the eyes of a high school dropout quadriplegic. The cover needed to visually represent the protagonist's journey and evoke a sense of introspection and challenge.

My Role: Book Cover Designer

Design Concept & Rationale: The central concept for the "Wheels" cover was to fuse literal and metaphorical elements of the story. The primary visual features a wheelchair wheel, directly referencing the protagonist's physical condition. Integrated within the wheel's hub is a clock mechanism, a powerful metaphor for the protagonist's journey through flashbacks and his struggle with time and his past.

Typography: The title "Wheels" is rendered in a strong, capitalized sans-serif typeface, suggesting resilience and the impactful nature of the story. The author's name, "Yos Vycter," uses a more classic serif font, providing a touch of literary elegance and grounding. The introductory blurb utilizes a clean serif font for readability, with an emphasized drop cap 'W' to draw the reader into the narrative.

Imagery: The choice of a close-up, grounded perspective on the wheel creates an immediate, personal connection. The subtle downward slant of the wheel suggests a journey heading back in time, directly correlating with the protagonist's experience of flashbacks. Integrated into the wheel's hub, the exposed clock gears hint at the internal complexities and intricate mechanisms of memory and fate. Specifically, the blending of Russian watch gears with the wheel components subtly signifies the interplay of personal agency and predetermined fate within the protagonist's life. The intricate layering and exposed nature of the gears also visually represent the fragmented and layered nature of memory itself, specifically suggesting 'flashbacks within flashbacks' to convey a profoundly complicated past. The muted, somewhat desaturated color palette reinforces the serious, introspective tone of the narrative.

Layout: The asymmetrical layout with the dominant wheel on the right balances the text on the left, creating dynamic visual tension. The subtle "FICTION LITERATURE" tag provides genre context without distracting from the main design.

Software: Photoshop, InDesign

Laney College Spring 2016 Class Schedule Cover Design

Client/Context: Laney College (Student Project – Selected Design for Spring 2016 Class Schedule Cover)

Objective: To design an engaging and conceptual cover for the Spring 2016 Class Schedule that visually communicates the breadth of educational opportunities offered by Laney College. The design aimed to represent both the analytical and creative aspects of learning, appealing to a diverse student body.

My Role: Cover Designer

Design Concept & Rationale: The central concept for this cover visually interprets the idea of a well-rounded education by depicting the two hemispheres of the human brain. The left side of the brain is represented by intricate gears, symbolizing analytical thinking, logic, technology, and structured learning, which are foundational to many academic disciplines. In contrast, the right side of the brain explodes with vibrant, organic, and abstract colorful forms, signifying creativity, innovation, art, and imaginative thought.

Imagery: The fusion of mechanical gears with flowing, dynamic colors directly illustrates the balance between logical and creative pursuits. The smaller, scattered gears around the primary brain motif suggest various disciplines and knowledge areas, all contributing to a holistic education. As a subtle personal touch, my name is integrated within the intricate details of a small, strategically placed gear.

Color Palette: The monochromatic gray tones of the gears highlight the precision and seriousness of analytical studies, while the explosion of bright, diverse colors on the right side conveys energy, artistic expression, and the dynamic nature of creative fields, with green being strategically incorporated to represent Laney College's brand identity and spirit.

Typography: The clean, sans-serif typography for "Laney College" and "Spring 2016 Class Schedule" provides clear readability and a modern, accessible feel, suitable for an educational institution.

Layout: The composition draws the eye across the brain motif, seamlessly transitioning from the structured gears to the expressive colors, reinforcing the message of a balanced learning environment.

Software: Photoshop, InDesign