Task
This project was part of my graphic design education and the assignment was to create a book cover for an autobiography book that represents the person it's about.
Solution
My choice was Tom Waits and for the concept of the book to be focused more on his stage presence and lyrical symbolism than everyday life. In order to illustrate the grit, moral duality and otherworldliness of his songs, I have chosen a black and white photograph of his presenting him as a man in nature with a hint of something spectral.
The back cover is upside down to represent his inspiration from the christian concepts of heaven and hell, with a translated quote from one of his songs - "Don't you know there ain't no devil, it's just god when he's drunk".
The gold accent and title of the biography is inspired from a live album of his, Glitter and Doom, recorded on a tour of the same name. The gold serves as a kind of halo, contrasting with the back cover, where Waits is blacked out, like a shadow, or a devil.
The title page continues the theme of the cover, with printed black and white lyrics of some of Waits' songs, placed at an angle for a visual representation of whispers in the dark.
Takeaway
For this project I explored subconscious associations and symbolism in order to convey specific connotations related to the artist's general themes and presence and how to present them visually.
