A Clockwork Orange is a very graphic, violent and sadistic book. Of course these images can't be projected directly on a cover for audience to see, it needs to be subtle and relate to the story, however, the content inside must take the role of shocking the audience. The brief was to design a new cover for 'A Clockwork Orange' avoiding cliches such as the mechanical eye, milk and bowler hat. Inviting a new audience of readers.

 

My concept surrounds the theme of classical music in the book especially Beethoven's 9th Symphony – 'Ode to Joy'. I have presented the music on an orange LP vinyl on top of a record player. The protagonist Alex not only enjoys violence and sadism but he also ironically, takes pleasure in listening to Beethoven. Unfortunately, he listens to it whilst committing acts of rape. 

The cover subtly hints at the violence and the orange texture on the vinyl depicts flesh and gore. Some would say it also looks like an 'Iris' – the eye of the beholder...
 

As my design presents a record, with extra advice given, I thought I could make the idea even more tangible. This concept shows a real vinyl on the cover (would be made to smallest LP size). The music can actually be played on a record player and listened to whilst reading certain scenes the symphony relates to in the book.