BOOK COVER
SERIES REDESIGN
For this project, I designed book jackets for two novels in Krista and Becca Ritchie’s Addicted Series, which explores complex themes of addiction, relationships, and personal growth. The challenge was to create distinct and connected designs that visually represented the unique narratives of each book while maintaining a cohesive identity. I aimed to capture the emotional depth and key themes of addiction, isolation, and transformation within the series through conceptual imagery and custom typography. I used symbolic elements and personal touches to bring the stories to life on the page.
Assignment: Create a book jacket for two books in a series of our choice. The two books must look different but from the same author and artist. By the end of the project, students will have a front cover, a back cover, a spine, and two inside flaps.
Process: I chose Krista and Becca Ritchie’s Addicted Series because of its compelling exploration of addiction and the deep, complex relationships between the main characters. For Addicted to You, I wanted to convey the themes of dependency and struggle visually. I began by photographing smashed beer bottles and applying a duotone effect to create a dark, foreboding atmosphere that captured the intensity of alcohol addiction. To represent love and addiction, I incorporated kiss marks made with lipstick. I spent hours handwriting the phrase 'Addicted to You' to develop a custom typeface, adding a personal and intimate touch to the design.
For Ricochet, the second book in the series, I focused on the feeling of isolation that pervades the characters’ experiences during their separation. I used the visual metaphor of a box to symbolize the female protagonist's confinement while facing 90 days of celibacy. The custom typeface was featured on the back of the box, mimicking writings on walls, mirrors, and prison cells, highlighting the emotional barriers the character must overcome. Inside the box, I incorporated a campfire, a symbol representing hope and personal growth that emerges after enduring a difficult journey. Through these design choices, I aimed to convey the complex emotions of the story while creating a cohesive look for the entire series.
Outcome: The final book jackets for Addicted to You and Ricochet successfully captured the emotional depth and themes of the series, earning positive feedback for their conceptual clarity and visual impact.
The design for Addicted to You effectively conveyed the dark and intense nature of addiction, with the smashed beer bottles and custom typeface reflecting the raw, visceral struggle of the characters. The kiss marks, made with smeared lipstick, added a personal, tactile element that symbolized the messiness and complexity of sex addiction while also conveying a sense of vulnerability and longing.
For Ricochet, the box metaphor powerfully communicates the isolation and emotional confinement experienced by the female protagonist. The custom typeface on the back of the box and the campfire symbolize the story's internal turmoil and eventual hope and growth. Overall, the jackets were visually appealing and deeply tied to the characters' emotional journeys, blending form and meaning.
