The Picture of Dorian Gray

Sticking with the reading theme, I got to redesign a classic novel’s book cover. This was to bring the book into modern times. But it also reminds people about some of the classic novels that are out there to read.

Purpose: Redesign a classic book’s cover

Programs: Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop

Project: Book Cover

Year: 2024, 2026

Preliminary Sketches

Taking the dark theme of this story and bringing them to life with my sketches. I knew that this story has to do with a picture that Dorian Gray does not like and haunts him. So, I wanted to bring that idea to my sketches. But also, I did not want my book cover to ruin any major plots of the story.

Color Palette

The color palette was to be moody and Gothic themed. The dark colors of black and brown to add to the moodiness. While the white and tan are a neutral color of the book cover.

Typography

The typography for this project I wanted to lean into the gothic and moodiness of the story. So, I used Berlin Sans FB Regular for the title of the book and Oscar Wilde’s name. I used some effects on the typography on the front cover to give it that almost 3D looks to it. Plus, I changed the color of the title and the author’s name to a tan shade. As for the rest of the cover, the typography used was Arial.

Digital Draft One

The original idea of my book cover was to show some of the ideas of the books. This book cover shows a major murder that took place. But things were missing. For example, this book is about a character named Dorian Gray and there is no person on the cover to represent this character. Along with a major plot point has to do with a picture and there is no picture either. This draft did not work as it was missing many different plot points yet giving away a major plot point.

Digital Draft Two

I changed the background of the cover, as the room I originally picked was keeping it all confined and did not feel there was enough space on the cover. The font went from a creepy looking font to more of a cursive font. Oscar Wilde got the tan color that is found in the final design of the book cover. Also, the stairs area ended up being too bright for a Gothic, moody story. I did add a picture frame to represent the picture. I also added a person to represent Dorian Gray.

Final Design

The final design turned into a person who represents Dorian Gray in an attic where he hides the picture. That is why there are boxes in front of the picture. The font has the feel of being 3D so popping out from the cover. Plus, the font is easier to read. The book cover is showing as if Dorian Gray is showing someone in front of him where the picture is.

Final Design Book Jacket

Here is the final design of the whole hardcover book jacket. The jacket is brown in color, found on the boxes. The book jacket is to look like one that you can find for a hardcover book. The cover is organized and easy to read.