OUGD603 | Extended Practice | Brief 05 | Research | Student Design Award 2018 - Children's Cover Award 'Nought & Crosses' by Malorie Blackman
Template of 'Noughts & Crosses' layout for Children's Cover Award
Research/images of Previous Noughts & Crosses Book Cover Designs from Penguinrandomhouse.co.uk - Children's Cover Award
Inspiration & Research
The series describes an alternative history of human evolution in which African people had gained a technological and organisational advantage over the European people, rather than the other way around, with Africans having made Europeans their slaves. The series takes place in an alternate 21st-century Britain.
At the time of the series, slavery had been abolished for some time, but segregation, similar to Jim Crow, continues to operate to keep the crosses (Blacks) in control of the noughts (Whites). An international organisation, the Pangaean Economic Community, exists. Seeming to be similar to the United Nations in scope but similar to the European Union in powers, it is playing a role in forcing change by directives and boycotts.
Research/images of Previous Noughts & Crosses Book Cover Designs from Penguinrandomhouse.co.uk - Children's Cover Award
Inspiration & Research
When commencing this brief it is essential to begin looking at previous past 'Noughts & Crosses' book designs. This will help narrow down why these particular designs were previous winners as these covers were put out as examples. The recurring theme of this book cover are simply a monochrome theme (as the books genre is dystopian), illustrations of 'O' & 'X' and typeface for the authors name, title and so on. This is a frequent concept which has been repeat through the examples. Despite the slightly coloured book cover with the red typeface. These covers are very simple designs yet bold this is due to the consumers are children. Consumers as children need to immediately recognise that this is the 'Noughts & Crosses' book cover by Malorie Blackman. Therefore it is important to find a similar concept which attracts consumers.
Book Research - Storyline
Noughts & Crosses is a series by English author Malorie Blackman of young adult novels, including two novellas, set in a fictional dystopia.The series describes an alternative history of human evolution in which African people had gained a technological and organisational advantage over the European people, rather than the other way around, with Africans having made Europeans their slaves. The series takes place in an alternate 21st-century Britain.
At the time of the series, slavery had been abolished for some time, but segregation, similar to Jim Crow, continues to operate to keep the crosses (Blacks) in control of the noughts (Whites). An international organisation, the Pangaean Economic Community, exists. Seeming to be similar to the United Nations in scope but similar to the European Union in powers, it is playing a role in forcing change by directives and boycotts.
By referring and considering the storyline of the book especially theme such as dystopia, segregation, racism and forbidden love to help inspire the book design. Additionally the different that the Africans (X's) are superior to the Europeans (O's).
Penguin Random House Judges
Francesca Dow – Managing Director, Penguin Random House UK Children's
Francesca Dow runs Penguin Random House UK Children’s, which comprises Ladybird and Puffin, and the Random House Children’s publishing division. Penguin Random House UK Children’s is home to popular children’s authors and illustrators such as Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney, Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake, John Green, Terry Pratchett, Malorie Blackman, Tom Fletcher, Sophy Henn, Ed Vere and Shirley Hughes as well as hugely successful children's brands – Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Snowman and Dr Who.
‘Excellent design and illustration are absolutely crucial to the success of children's books,’ says Francesca Dow. ‘As the leading children’s publisher, we have always promoted great design and supported new illustrators and the Penguin Random House Student Design Award continues that tradition. We love working with talented new designers. New ideas, new skills are vital to our business.’
Anna Billson – Art Director, Penguin Random House UK Children’s
Anna graduated in Graphic Design from Middlesex Polytechnic, where she spent most of her time printmaking and producing hand-made books. After working in the newsroom at ITN for a couple of years she moved into publishing, where she was able to turn her love of design and her love of books into her dream career.
Anna joined Puffin as Deputy Art Director in 2002 from Orchard Books. Anna became Art Director of Puffin in 2003 and in 2011 took on the role of Art Director for Penguin Children’s. Following the creation of the Penguin Random House UK Children’s division, she is now responsible for the art direction of everything published on the combined children’s lists.
Anna leads a fabulously talented group of designers who work with a dazzling array of illustrators, designing for some of the best authors and the biggest brands in children’s publishing. Her team currently includes a designer who was recruited following his success in the Children’s Cover Award.
Guest Judges
Malorie Blackman
Malorie Blackman has written over sixty books and is acknowledged as one of today's most imaginative and convincing writers for young readers. She has been awarded numerous prizes for her work, including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award. Malorie has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. In 2005 she was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her contribution to children's books, and in 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature. She has been described by The Times as 'a national treasure'. Malorie Blackman was the Children's Laureate 2013-15.
picture credit: Paul Akinrinlola
Tom Sanderson
Tom Sanderson has worked in the publishing industry for many years, being part of the in-house design teams at Pan Macmillan and Penguin Books where he became Design Manager on the young adult list. In 2009 he set up his own freelance design company the-parish.com and has worked with all the major publishing houses and created covers for some of the world's most popular authors including Philip Pullman, James Patterson, Charlie Higson and Pittacus Lore. His work has appeared in Graffik Magazine, Creative Review and was shortlisted in the ABC Design Awards. He is passionate about books and providing creative solutions for making them look iconic and great.
Submitted Entries
Below are example of submitted entries by other designs via behance. From the following examples are not similar to the examples on Penguin's website. These designers have used bright colours like yellow, magenta, grey or neutral colours. Therefore it is important to experiment as many colour schemes as possible. Typefaces on the book covers vary to sans serif, lower case, upper case, serif or hand written. Again it will be useful to experiment with various kinds for the book cover design.
Research on Judges
Francesca Dow – Managing Director, Penguin Random House UK Children's
Francesca Dow runs Penguin Random House UK Children’s, which comprises Ladybird and Puffin, and the Random House Children’s publishing division. Penguin Random House UK Children’s is home to popular children’s authors and illustrators such as Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney, Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake, John Green, Terry Pratchett, Malorie Blackman, Tom Fletcher, Sophy Henn, Ed Vere and Shirley Hughes as well as hugely successful children's brands – Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Snowman and Dr Who.
‘Excellent design and illustration are absolutely crucial to the success of children's books,’ says Francesca Dow. ‘As the leading children’s publisher, we have always promoted great design and supported new illustrators and the Penguin Random House Student Design Award continues that tradition. We love working with talented new designers. New ideas, new skills are vital to our business.’
Anna Billson – Art Director, Penguin Random House UK Children’s
Anna graduated in Graphic Design from Middlesex Polytechnic, where she spent most of her time printmaking and producing hand-made books. After working in the newsroom at ITN for a couple of years she moved into publishing, where she was able to turn her love of design and her love of books into her dream career.
Anna joined Puffin as Deputy Art Director in 2002 from Orchard Books. Anna became Art Director of Puffin in 2003 and in 2011 took on the role of Art Director for Penguin Children’s. Following the creation of the Penguin Random House UK Children’s division, she is now responsible for the art direction of everything published on the combined children’s lists.
Anna leads a fabulously talented group of designers who work with a dazzling array of illustrators, designing for some of the best authors and the biggest brands in children’s publishing. Her team currently includes a designer who was recruited following his success in the Children’s Cover Award.
Guest Judges
Malorie Blackman
Malorie Blackman has written over sixty books and is acknowledged as one of today's most imaginative and convincing writers for young readers. She has been awarded numerous prizes for her work, including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award. Malorie has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. In 2005 she was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her contribution to children's books, and in 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature. She has been described by The Times as 'a national treasure'. Malorie Blackman was the Children's Laureate 2013-15.
picture credit: Paul Akinrinlola
Tom Sanderson
Tom Sanderson has worked in the publishing industry for many years, being part of the in-house design teams at Pan Macmillan and Penguin Books where he became Design Manager on the young adult list. In 2009 he set up his own freelance design company the-parish.com and has worked with all the major publishing houses and created covers for some of the world's most popular authors including Philip Pullman, James Patterson, Charlie Higson and Pittacus Lore. His work has appeared in Graffik Magazine, Creative Review and was shortlisted in the ABC Design Awards. He is passionate about books and providing creative solutions for making them look iconic and great.
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