Classic Book Redesign
Objective
Visual Storytelling | Typography & Layout | Atmospheric Mood
Key Word
Atmosphere | Storytelling | Creativity
My goal was to capture the essence of Victor Hugo’s work with a darker, atmospheric cover that reflects its gothic tones, complex characters, and themes. Inspired by the novel’s moody ambiance, the design evokes its emotional depth and historical context.
Focus
Enviromental Contact
Font
I chose the Algerian font for the title to evoke a gothic feel, reflecting the novel’s dramatic themes and ornate architecture. For the body text, I used Californian FB, a classic serif that adds elegance and readability, maintaining the timeless tone of Victor Hugo's work. Together, these fonts capture both the gothic atmosphere and historic essence of the story.
Sketches
Assets
For my book cover design, I used Photoshop to combine multiple images seamlessly. By blending various elements, I was able to create a cohesive and visually striking composition that captured the essence of the cover’s theme. Photoshop's layering, masking, and adjustment tools allowed me to merge different photos effectively, enhancing depth and bringing my design vision to life.
First cover I have the Quasimodo, looking back as he is entering the cathedral. The title will be outside of the boarder and the name of the author on the lower right. Second cover, I have Quasimodo standing and overlooking into the city, title and author name are in the boarder of the book. My third cover, I have the cathedral being the main focus and Quasimodo standing on top of it.
Hunchback
In this video, you will see me designing my main cover using my own image while also reimagining The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I used Photoshop to manipulate and transform the image, redesigning the iconic character with a fresh artistic approach. Through digital editing techniques, I adjusted textures, lighting, and composition to create a unique interpretation that stays true to the essence of the original story while incorporating my personal design style.
Iterations
The first four iterations needed refinement because they lacked the strong gothic atmosphere and cohesive visual balance that reflects the novel’s themes. The initial fonts and colors didn't fully capture the dramatic essence of the story, requiring adjustments to better align with the book’s historic and mysterious tone.
Final Design
The final product is a book cover redesign for The Hunchback of Notre-Dame that captures the essence of Victor Hugo's classic novel. The cover features the grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral as the central element, with its Gothic architecture meticulously highlighted. The Hunchback, although present, is subtly kept in the shadows, creating a sense of mystery and depth that aligns with the novel's dark and atmospheric tone. This design choice ensures that the focus remains on the architectural magnificence of Notre-Dame while hinting at the character's presence and significance without overwhelming the visual composition.
