This novel is a mandatory reading for all high school students in the Philippines because of the role it played during the Philippine Revolution in the late 19th century. José Rizal, the author of the book, wrote it as a weapon to resist the Spaniards and their 300 year colonial rule over the Philippines by exposing their abusive behaviour. This book, along with its sequel El Filib usterismo, is the reason why José Rizal was executed in 1896 by the Spaniards. His death sparked the beginning of the Philippine Revolution, which led to freedom of the Philippines… the challenge is to find a way to incorporate the themes and symbols without literally placing them onto the cover like the original cover. I want it visually strong but simple. There could be emphasis on one or two of the symbols and themes if that helps you. It’s a story of many different stories, and this history behind it is just as important (text/ note wrote by project partner editor).

Design iterations:

Original cover