NORWEGIAN WOOD
Personal project for Penguin book design competition
First Cover Design
Naoko, Toru, and Kizuki are in different places in life. This cover aims to convey the sense that Toru is on a solitary journey after Kizuki's death. The tree hole depicted on the cover symbolizes an unknown future. Recognizing that the dead cannot be resurrected, Toru seeks solace by performing in the spirit of the departed. As he continues living while his friend has passed away, his goal is to embrace life to the fullest, compensating for the loss of his friend and cherishing the gift of the life he still possesses.
The back cover features only one footprint and one hole, reflecting the profound sadness in the narrative. It signifies a loneliness and depth too profound to escape.
Second Cover Design
I use water droplets to illustrate the interconnected relationships of the four characters in the story. The largest red drop symbolizes 'Kizuki,' who has passed away. However, his presence endures through the memories of those who remain, and the sorrow for their departed friend consumes them. This is depicted by the three drops seemingly being consumed by the large red drop. Each of the other drops represents the remaining characters.
Toru and Naoko persist in living with the grief, and the red sorrow engulfs them. The white water droplets symbolize Midori's innocent personality. She, too, is affected by the sadness that consumes the others but also remains somewhat separate.
Produced in Jan 2019