Book Cover Redesign

Project summary

For this project, I reimagined the cover design for Ordinary People by Judith Guest, aiming to visually convey the novel’s central themes of family dynamics and emotional complexity. My design approach focused on using color, imagery, and composition to reflect the story’s tone—balancing subtlety with emotional impact. The final cover is intended to not only attract readers but also offer a glimpse into the depth and sensitivity of the narrative.

Book cover redesign process

Research & INSPIRATION

I began by researching the history, themes, and tone of Ordinary People by Judith Guest, as well as analyzing existing and popular book cover designs within the same genre. This exploration helped me identify design elements that successfully capture a reader’s attention while staying true to the story’s essence. These insights became the foundation for my creative direction and guided my design decisions moving forward.

cONCEPT SKETCHING

I developed a series of exploratory sketches that translated the themes of Ordinary People into visual form. Drawing from both my research and key elements of the story, I experimented with different imagery, compositions, and symbolic details. These sketches allowed me to explore multiple interpretations of the book’s emotional depth before narrowing down the strongest concepts for refinement.

FiNAL DESIGN

Using Adobe InDesign, I transformed my strongest concepts into three fully realized cover designs. Through careful review and critique, I evaluated each option for its visual impact, thematic accuracy, and market appeal. From these, I selected the design that most effectively conveyed the novel’s emotional tone and would resonate with readers.