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.

Warm Harmony

Society of Illustrators 48th Annual, p179
Jonathan Barkat

This design is an example of warm color harmony created by using red, orange and yellow. The artist was hired by Court TV and instructed to use a specific building for his model. To fulfill this request, he went to the building "with his Pantone book in hand to match the color." I found this rather humorous since I seem to be wrestling with those little Pantone swatches doing the color exercises. The design uses all of the design principles. Unity is established by repetition of colors and rectangular shapes and by proximity of the images. Emphasis is made by contrast in color with your eye being drawn to the "yellow" window. Balance is both symmetrical and mathematical with the gridlike placement of the windows. The evenly spaced repetition of lines and rectangles creates a clear, staccato rhythm. And, finally, depth is developed by shadows.

Depth by Size

Society of Illustrators 48th Annual, p201
Milton Glazer

This design is an example of depth created by size. The diminishing size of Target frisbees leads the viewer to feeling as if frisbees are being tossed from outer space to land on the building's spire. The placement of the largest element at the bottom of the design and the diminishing images trailing off to the top of the design helps to enforce the illusion of space. Unity is established by repetition of the red disks. Emphasis is very evident with the bright red color standing out on a grayscale background. I think balance is approximately symmetrical. The trailing red disks in the upper corner don't appear to have enough pull to throw the design off balance. Rhythm is established both with the equidistant spacing between the large frisbees and with the circular cutouts on the frisbees. The designer for this composition posed the question "Did you know that in order to depict either the Chrysler Building or the Empire State Building, you have to pay?" I didn't know that.

Color Discord

Society of Illustrators 48th Annual, p521
Hye Jeong Park

This design is an example of color discord. The two dominant colors are of equal saturation and one "spoke" off of being complementary colors. Unity is established by proximity of the girl and the chair. The focal point is the bright red chair, created by contrast in color. Asymmetrical balance is achieved by the figure of the girl being offset by the shaded wall and small dark window. Depth is established by perspective with the two convergent lines meeting in the corner of the room. Shadows also help to enhance the illusion of depth. The title of this picture is "Sometimes Hope Has Two Faces". I was really intrigued by the colors and the title until my husband pointed out the noose and analyzed the picture as the girl was contemplating suicide.

We The People

25 Years of Book Cover Art
Wendell Minor Art for the Written Word, p46

This picture brings out the patriotism in me. It's such a strong image. Just 3 hats and 3 words - but, oh, what those 3 hats and 3 words represent! Unity is found in the repetition of hats and the proximity of all of the images. Emphasis is created by contrast in color with the bright red popping out. Balance is asymmetrical by postion. Rhythm can be seen in the pleated pin on the American Revolution hat. Depth is seen by the shadows. And color harmony is found with the earthtone colors.

Negative Space

Society of Illustrators 48th Annual, p113
Richard McGuire

I loved the use of negative shapes in this design. Depth is created by size with the diminishing figures. Shadows also help to create the illusion of depth. Unity is found in the repetition of shapes and color. Emphasis is created by the contrast in value with the bright white eyes standing out in in the dark and contrast in color with the one tiny spot of red in an otherwise monochromatic blue harmony. Some rhythm can be seen in the repeated diagonal lines throughout the design. Balance is asymmetrical by position.