Virginia Woolf for Penguin

“Penguin commissioned Angus Hyland and his team to design a new series of five of Virginia Woolf’s major works in hardback editions. The designs reference authentic period elements but do so in an entirely contemporary manner.

The dust jackets feature abstract compositions in the spirit of the textile designs of the Omega Workshop. The Workshop was founded by members of the Bloomsbury Group who included Woolf herself, her sister Vanessa Bell, and Duncan Grant.

The typography utilises Albertus, designed by Berthold Wolpe, and Gill Sans, designed by Eric Gill, both of whom were British typographers of the period.”

Source: http://pentagram.com/en/new/2011/11/new-work-virginia-woolf.php#more

Pop-Up Illustrations

“This project depicts the story of ‘Into the Woods’ by Stephen Sondheim in pop-up form. The story weaves darker meaning through well-known fairy tales. The two scenes that I chose to depict were the house of the evil witch and the tower where Rapunzel was held prisoner.

With this project, I became particularly familiar with 3D illustration techniques and intricate paper cutting. It was very much about developing an understanding of the technical skills and precision needed to execute a pop-up book. While it was particularly challenging, it was also incredibly rewarding.”

Source: http://cargocollective.com/jenyclo#2328121/Pop-up-Illustrations

Rob Ryan

I absolutely love the work of Rob Ryan, so much so I even have one of the cards he designed for Roger La Borde. His paper cutting work is so intricate and delicate and there is always a high quality finish to it. His work has been my main inspiration for this semester’s project.

Chris Natrop

“Natrop’s work features installations of fibrious paper cut outs that immediatly give the feeling of soft fabrics and spiderwebs. Not of all his work consists of these paper cut out installations.  His work encompasses a multitude of forms and the paper cutouts can easily become static, wall-mounted pieces of art.”

This is the idea I had for my book cover design, creating cut out pieces of design and then hanging them, lighting the pieces and casting a shadow against the wall to create a shadow. I would then photograph the pieces to create my cover desgin. This piece of work is the perfect example of showing what my intentions are.

Source: http://www.creativefluff.com/traditional_art/chris-natrop-cut-out-paper-never-looked-so-awesome/

Inspiration: Helen Musselwhite

“By the use of bold colour, strong graphic line and familiar images I create highly individual and visually appealing pieces of art that make an instant impact. My work has a distinctive hand crafted quality that pays respect to all forms of mid century design, folk and ethnic art, as well as current and future trends.

Each piece combines the hand cutting, folding and scoring of a wide range of papers and card that are further worked on to create patterned and textured surfaces. They are then used to build scenes in box frames which are often complex and consist of many layers. This process means that each item of work is truly individual with no two pieces the same.Influenced by the natural world each piece is manipulated to become an intriguing place, a glimpse into another world of fiction and fairytale.”

These paper sculptures are by British artist Helen Musselwhite. She has created these pieces by layering up 4 colours of paper cut outs. This is relevant research for the book cover designs I am creating at the moment with the cut outs and layering of colour to create a 3D image.

Source: http://www.helenmusselwhite.com/index.htm

Fairy Tale Illustrations

Hans the Hedgehog and the King

Rapunzel

While researching for some of my own design ideas I came across an illustrator who has drawn these fairy tale illustrations in black and white. They are particularly fitting to my ideas as when I see a black and white drawing I imagine what it would look like if it were to be cut out of paper. This links to the concept I have for a book cover project. The illustrations are very strong and have the feeling of a dark tale behind them.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steeringfornorth/

Inspiration: Alice in Wonderland Book Jackets

“The dust jackets I designed for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland were created for a University brief that I adapted from the 2010 Penguin/Puffin book cover competition. My aim was to design the book covers for an audience of collectors of Alice in Wonderland products instead of an audience of young children and I wanted to focus the designs on memorable visual imagery from the story, using silhouette style illustrations.” Jonathan Chapman

This is yet another post about book covers!! But shouldn’t take much explaining if you read the last few. Lets just say I have a facination with paper cutting!

Source: http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsId=13528

Inspiration: Menagerie

“Menagerie: A Exhibition of Five Nursery Rhymes

A Letterpress printing and book-binding project showcasing a collection of five nursery rhymes with animal themes. The images of each rhyme were illustrated and carefully cut out by hand.”

I really like this project. The use of paper cutting has proved very effective in this final outcome. The detailing is immense and adds to the dimensions of the book itself. This is an idea I would like to explore for a current project.

Source: http://www.jaclynco.com/#1108821/Menagerie

Inspiration: Puffin Book Covers

“After experimenting with paper manipulation I was really inspired by Yulia Brodskaya http://www.artyulia.com/  an artist who uses the traditional craft technique of ‘quilling’ in such an incredible way, I had to give it a go myself.”

I came across this design while researching for the Penguin Books Design Competition. I like the idea of creating a 3D image and using it for a 2D purpose. The concept and design is striking and unique and works well as a whole piece.

Source: http://luciemaslin.blogspot.com/2011/03/puffin-book-cover-quilling.html