Existing book cover research

50th anniversary edition designed by Sarah Jane Coleman

The cover is primarily illustrative, and uses silhouettes for the main features of the illustration. The title is handwritten, and placed in the centre of the cover - however the type merges with the illustration as the letters are placed on the branches of the tree. The tree spans both the front cover and the back cover, with bare branches on the front and leaves on the back. The cover also features two children, picket fences and the symbol of the bird. I like how the bird isn't a primary feature as it makes the meaning less obvious and the fact it is metallic as opposed to the dark cover adds to the symbolism. The nook in the tree where Boo Radley leaves the children gifts is also on the cover, but placed onto the spine to allow the tree to span both sides of the cover.

The mainly dark, yet neutral colour palette of the cover appeals to all audiences - with the large bright moon on the front lifting the mood overall.

Handwritten type is used for the title on the front, yet the title elsewhere is in an exaggerated, rounded serif typeface. This alludes to the special occasion of the 50th anniversary of the book because of its exaggerated appearance. The authors name is written in a handwritten style font - linking to the childhood innocence theme throughout the book. The blurb is in a simple sans serif typeface to not detract from the rest of the cover and to make the information legible. It wraps to the shape of the tree trunk and the boy leaning on it in the illustration.

Design by Sebastian Andreas

This contemporary cover plays on the crime aspect of the book. Featuring a clenched fist on both sides of the cover, this represents defiance and strength. It also alludes to the 1968 Olympics Black power salute in which black athletes raised their fists in a symbol of solidarity and support. This is relevant as the accused man in the book is a black man - and one of the motifs of the novel is racial hatred and discrimination. The black fist represents the accused man in the novel and the shackles chained to his wrist portray the white community who have discriminated against him and locked him up. As well as this, white often portrays innocence so this could be argued to show the innocence of the children.

The title is handwritten and I in particular love how it fits the shape of the fist. The irregular letters contrast against the sharp colour scheme and the block shapes of the illustration. On the back the fist is facing downwards, with a sans serif blurb fitting within the fist. The authors name and the quote at the top of the blurb is the same typeface used for the authors name in the 50th edition of the book above.

Designed by Ally Simmons

The illustrated cover focuses on the tree in the novel where Boo Radley left the children gifts. The sketchy style of illustration works really well as it almost looks as if it could be a childs drawing. The tight fit of the illustration and type within the hole in the tree is effective as it makes the drawing look more chaotic and interesting. The sepia colour palette evokes the classic mood of the book and gives the feeling of timelessness - one that is perfect for a classic novel.

The type is orange against the brown and cream of the rest of the illustration and it written in the same style of the illustration really makes it look at home on the cover. The bright colour makes it more legible, however on the spine the type may be less legible as it is placed against a lighter background. A simpler typeface could have been used in the same colour to tie it all in together.

The back of the cover is less strong to me. The illustration of the bird is very obvious and overdone for the book and I feel not needed as it doesn't add anything to the cover. The blurb is placed over the illustration, blocking most of the bird out anyway and the style of the blurb doesn't fit with the front cover. I think to work better as a consistent cover, the blurb could have been placed within a hole in a tree in the same style of illustration to mirror the front of the book.