top of page
self-initiated
editorial design
illustration
motion
2022
brief
Penguin by Design was a self-initiated editorial project focused on redesigning the covers of three classic books previously published by Penguin: Susan Sontag’s “On Photography”, Soetsu Yanagi’s “The Beauty of Everyday Things” and Gaston Bachelard’s “The Poetics of Space”.
The challenge was to reinterpret three very different publications through a fresh visual approach, whilst making sure they still worked together as a series.
The covers also had to be accompanied by a set of promotional materials designed to help the books reach a wider audience.
brief
Penguin by Design was a self-initiated editorial project focused on redesigning the covers of three classic books previously published by Penguin: Susan Sontag’s “On Photography”, Soetsu Yanagi’s “The Beauty of Everyday Things” and Gaston Bachelard’s “The Poetics of Space”.
The challenge was to reinterpret three very different publications through a fresh visual approach, whilst making sure they still worked together as a series.
The covers also had to be accompanied by a set of promotional materials designed to help the books reach a wider audience.
concept
Despite covering very different subjects, all three books ask the reader to reconsider something familiar - how we see photography, how we value everyday objects, and how we experience the spaces around us. That shared idea of “taking another look” became the link between the covers.
One of the main design choices was to deliberately hide the book titles, playing into this sense of discovery. It was an unconventional choice, but one that felt appropriate for a series about curiosity and reinterpretation.
Parts of the illustrations were laser-cut, so the titles were only fully revealed when the books were opened, creating a playful, interactive experience for the reader. Illustration and hand-drawn lettering complemented this concept by reflecting the quirky, slightly artsy character of the books themselves.
2022
editorial design
illustration
motion
self-initiated
outcome
The final outcome was a set of three illustrated and laser-cut book covers, accompanied by promotional materials that extended the concept beyond the books themselves. Nine collectable bookmarks were created across the series, each featuring a QR code that led to a unique animation.
Animating the illustrations added a playful digital layer to an otherwise print-led project, helping the series connect with a more contemporary audience. The Penguin character also featured throughout, interacting with different elements from each cover.
bottom of page