Introduction
The project involves a cover proposal for George Orwell's "1984".
Before diving into the visual and symbolic details of the cover, it's crucial to understand the context of "1984" and the inspiration behind this design.
"1984" is a dystopian literature masterpiece, highlighting state repression and the ongoing struggle between truth and propaganda. However, for this project, the inspiration was drawn from a more personal and intimate angle: Winston's relationship with writing as an act of resistance.
Concept
In "1984", writing is the only way Winston finds to connect with his true thoughts and express his genuine identity, away from the distorted influence of the Party. Through writing, he tries to rescue and solidify his own history and reality in a world where the truth is malleable and controlled by the State.
This cover serves as a visual theater of Winston's journey, tracing his exit from the suffocating alienation imposed by the State to the liberating reality provided by writing. Each element of the cover plays a crucial role in this narrative.
The central eye, with its alternating shades of blue and gray in a psychedelic aesthetic, represents the omnipresent surveillance of the Party and the distorted and manipulated reality it imposes on its citizens. More than just an eye that sees, it acts as a window into the world controlled by the State, where reality is whatever the Party says it is.
The main character, Winston, in black and white, emerges from the eye, symbolizing his attempt to break free from the oppressive clutches of the State. The chair, partially inside the eye, indicates that Winston is still bound to this distorted reality, but his position, outside the entirety of the eye, suggests a possible escape, a resistance.
This sheet of paper, floating from Winston to the back cover, is a powerful metaphor for writing. It is the silent resistance, the untold truth, the thought that hasn't shifted. It's Winston's tool to connect with his inner reality, away from the Party's manipulation.
Creation Process
First and foremost, it began with the backbone of the cover: the composition. In this phase, it's crucial to think about how to convey the central concept using key elements, while also incorporating essential information, such as the book's title.
Once the overall framework was in place, I delved into the details. It's in this stage that the elements begin to come alive and become more distinct, providing depth to the visual narrative.
Before committing to a specific palette, I dedicated some time to exploration. The goal was to see how the idea of using warm colors to represent reality and cool colors to denote the alienation imposed by the State would manifest visually.
With a clear understanding of the color direction, I proceeded to vectorization, establishing the base colors – these are not yet the final ones, but they provide a solid idea of where the artwork is heading.
Finally, it was time to bring everything to life. With the official colors set, I dedicated myself to the application of lights and shadows. I then moved on to finishing touches, ensuring that the cover not only captures the concept but also attracts the reader, making minor adjustments and adding additional details.
In conclusion, thank you for dedicating your time and attention all the way to the end. Thank you!
