Diary of a Young Naturalist
The task was to re-design the book cover ‘Diary of a Young Naturalist’. My design focuses on bringing nature within the novel to life and present on the cover. Combining the use of nature photography and technical sketching really highlights the books role as a Diary of a Naturalist.
PROCESS
Whilst on walks I took photos and collected objects that I felt represented nature. I aim to use these objects and photographs in the creation of my book cover. The use of these resources will make nature and being a naturalist present themes within my cover.
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THE BLACKBIRD
MAIN IMAGE
I wanted the front cover to represent the content of the book and Dara Mcanulty as a person. In the book Mcanulty spoke about his connection towards the blackbird. I wanted to use this animal to connect the outside cover to the natural world inside the book. I drew a blackbird, I wanted the blackbird to have a rough sketchy stlye to it in order to give the effect it is a drawing inside Dara Mcanultyʼs actual journal.
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THE COVER
COMPOSITIONS
I looked into flower anatomy photography compositions and wondered how I could incorporate similar techniques into my book cover. I wanted to really bring nature to life and make it present to the reader fully immersing them in the life of a naturalist.
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FINAL COVER
FINAL COMPOSITION
After feedback on my innitial composition experiments leaves were old and dying and failed to bring a connection to the living natural world. I went out again collecting more woodland items that were more living and green in colour.