Penguin Books Adult Prize - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
SECOND YEAR WORK
BRIEF:
The brief was set by Penguin and required the creation of a cover illustration for its Adult Prize selection - "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", so that it was able to both give the reader a sense of the book's content and stand out amongst competition on a book-shelf.
CONCEPT & SOLUTION:
The concept behind my cover solution focuses on the idea of dot to dot. Each dot is representative of a patient in the mental hospital, the act of them being joined together both communicating the idea of "strength in numbers" (reinforced by the numbering of each dot, and illustrating McMurphy's efforts to unite the group into revolt against the regime.
The act of numbering consecutively itself implies routeine, monotony and regulation - mirroring the rules enforced upon the patients by nurse Ratched in the hospital.
The last dot is labeled McMurphy, showing both that he is the missing link to change concerning the power balance in the hospital and also emphasizing his difference to the other inmates - posing as ill to avoid sentencing, both mentally and physically etc.
The last dot is labeled McMurphy, showing both that he is the missing link to change concerning the power balance in the hospital and also emphasizing his difference to the other inmates - posing as ill to avoid sentencing, both mentally and physically etc.
The dot to dot iself was a popular puzzle game in the 50s (when the book is set), and this juxtaposed with the "adult" nature of the image connotates both the child-like simplicity that the patients have been reduced to and the mundane nature of life in the hospital (being the sort of activity that they would have been permitted to do).
Originally I set out to create McMurphy's face through this method, however on further consultation of the brief it became evident that the inclusion of film graphics was not advisable and so I decided to, instead, depict a metaphorical image based on the theme of power, which I consider to be one of the book's most prominent themes.
I chose to portray the image of Nurse Ratched with the joining of the dots, as she represents power in the book, and enforces rules.
As the dots are joined across the back cover they reveal a provocative raised bare leg, which is meant to symbolise corruption in the system whilst showing McMurphy's sexualisation of the nurse and how she fails to hide this within her uniform.
The background consists of a texture from old, cheap colouring books where paper was discoloured to mimic this, and continuing with this theme I inserted scribbles that complimented the dot to dot/child-like nature, and gave a sense of frustration - another major emotion associated with the book.
The typeface is Helvetica Bold as, again, this provided reference to large, easily distinguishable typefaces used in colouring books, whereas in the context of a mental hospital for grown men, not children, this gives a patronising feel. The use of waxed crayon scribbles also mocks the way patients are treated as children.
The use of bright colour also reflects McMurphy's positive attitude and desire to bring about fun (and change) in an otherwise regimented, clinical environment.
