OUGD503 | PENGUIN | THE BRIEF

The first brief I have decided to look into is the Penguin Random House book cover brief. After looking at the 3 covers for this year; A Clockwork Orange, How to be a Woman and Emil and the Detectives, I've decided that the childrens book brief is the most appropriate for me to choose. It is likely that many people will choose A Clockwork Orange due to its literary popularity, and I don't feel I could successfully add anything new to the cover that hasn't already been done. 

The brief for the childrens book competition states:

Students are invited to design a whole new cover look for Emil and the Detectives to bring this classic to a new generation of readers. The design should ensure that this original and heart-warming story remains a must-read for every child.

We are looking for a striking cover design that is well executed, has an imaginative concept and clearly places the book for its market. The cover should encourage children to pick the book up and buy it for themselves and should also engage adults to want to buy it for them.

While all elements of the cover (front, back and spine) need to work together as a cohesive whole, remember that the front cover has to be able to work on its own, and to be eye-catching within a crowded bookshop setting as well as on screen at a reduced size for digital retailers.

I am confident in my ability to create something striking with typography, but still appealing to children and the younger audience. To begin this brief, I will be researching into existing covers, and conducting primary research to see what stands out in a real book shop setting.