"I found this work to be intriguing and beautiful. The design conveys a depth of meaning that immediately takes the viewer back in time to a realistic WWII setting. An astute use of colour and typography pulls the composition together neatly. These book covers demonstrate originality and resourcefulness in the thoughtful way they engage the reader from the very
first glance."
— Trinette Klein RGD

To capture the WWII setting and honour the unique elements of this author’s debut novel, the key challenge was to find a powerful image that would capture the defining story element: a battle fought with words and ideas. For the hardcover design, a collage illustration layers the place, time and the typewriter as a key story element to communicate the power wielded by ordinary people in an extraordinary battle. The trade paperback version was designed to reach a more commercial audience, depicting a narrative scene with a character who comes to represent the book’s message of strength and resistance found in unlikely places. Research for the cover led the team to secure reproduction rights for the original “le Soir” newspaper that is central to the story, which became a key design element for the book’s marketing materials. The book was very well received and achieved an exceptional volume of media coverage for a debut.

Credits:

HARDCOVER DESIGN:

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: ERIN CRAIG RGD

ART DIRECTOR: KATHLEEN OUDIT

DESIGNER: MARY LUNA

IMAGE RESEARCHER: KAREN BECKER

TRADE PAPERBACK DESIGN:

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: ERIN CRAIG RGD

ART DIRECTOR: KATHLEEN OUDIT

DESIGNER: ELITA SIDIROPOULOU

PROMOTIONAL MARKETING:

DESIGNERS: ARBITER CREATIVE, YANA STEPCHENKO AND BO ROBERTS LEUNG

MARKETING: STEFANIE BUSZYNSKI

PRODUCTION: DEB BROWN, BRUNO CYWINSK