Design and art direction by Joana Reis
Typography detail design by Joana Reis
Artwork by Lucie Louxor
'Rocket Middleton has just gone through a devastating break-up with Cruz Jones, who was supposed to be the love of his life. Seeking a fresh start, he flees his northern town for London and drama school. There, rumours abound that Emmy Star, the biggest young musician of the moment is going to be secretly attending classes to prepare for an upcoming film. Will a chance encounter with Emmy lead to a new romance for Rocket –
or will Emmy’s immense fame and Rocket’s ex-Cruz get in the way?'
Some book comps I looked at while working on this project.
These are some of the initial concepts for this project.
'I envisioned a cover brimming with symbolism, celebrating
queerness, joy, romance, and stardom in the story of Rocky and
Emmy. Emmy, a dazzling star known for them remarkable
singing talent, leaves Rocky in absolute awe. I propose
exploring the concept of placing Emmy inside the head of a
microphone, which could take the form of a glass globe, with
Emmy exuding power and confidence from within. They might
be singing passionately, casting a seductive gaze towards Rocky.
Position Rocky on the cover as if they’re an outsider looking in,
captivated by Emmy's presence. Rocky could occupy either the
left or right side of the cover, perhaps with one hand near their
face or adjusting his jacket. Much like Sam Smith's style in the
"Gloria" album, Rocky could be adorned in extravagant attire,
which can dominate the other half of the cover.
Infuse the artwork with a vibrant palette, using a multitude of
colours to make it visually striking. Feel free to explore
alternative interpretations of this concept, and we eagerly
anticipate witnessing your unique style and creative vision
breathe life into this idea'
Eventually, the decision was made to remove the music elements, focusing instead on establishing a simple connection between the characters. We retained vibrant colours and incorporated stars to evoke the themes of romance and stardom.
