This is a special edition book cover I created as part of a first year university brief. The book I chose was '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' and the edition was intented for collectors who have read and love the book.
My design was inspired by two themes in the book; the contrast between the man and natural world and technology and modernisation. These are reflected by the contrast between the dark mechanical box cover and the colourful natural world depicted on the book cover. The way in which the vibrant under sea world is concealed by the box cover reflects how Captain Nemo uses the man made submarine to hide away from the rest of the world, and how he is missing out.
This contrast is furthered by my chosen materials. I have used embossing powder to create the design on the box, which encorperates relatively modern methods when compared with the age old technique of water colour, used on the main cover.
In order for my design to fulfil the brief as a special edition book, I concluded that the details on the box cover could be created in a more precious material, such as gold leaf.
