Adult Bookcover

The Cat Who Went to Paris, Bookcover
CMYK, 2006

This is my inspirational adult bookcover. I found the design very intriguing. It seems so simple at first glance but then the details start popping out. The design has an anologous color harmony. Unity is created by proximity of elements and by repetition of the colors and pattern throughout the cover. The focal point is the cat which seems to just be coming into the picture. Emphasis is established by contrast in placement with the unlikeliness of a cat tightrope-walking to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Asymmetrical balance is accomplished by position with the cat offsetting the tower. Rhythm is established with the lines in the Eiffel Tower and also with the flow of the vines seen in the wallpaper background. Depth is by perspective with the ropes and the tower pulling your viewpoint up to the top of the tower to the vanishing point.

Children's Book Cover

Society of Illustrators 48th Annual, p433
Scott McKowen, bookcover

This is my inspiration children's bookcover. I like the overall calmness of the design and the clean and crisp illustration. Unity is found in proximity of the elements. The type is in a tight block and placed next to the boat. Emphasis is placed on the boat and characters in it by contrast in color, the brown boat against the large expanse of blue water. Asymmetrical balance is achieved by position with the off-center words balancing the long, diagonally placed boat. The light-colored pants on the bottom characer help to balance the design. The lines in the water create a nice flowing rhythm. Depth is established by shadows. And, finally, the overall design shows complementary color harmony.