Penguin is one of the most known publishing house in England, well known through its high quality cheap paperbacks. The low cost production of these books is based on cheap paper and books are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples.
THE BRIEF
One Hundred Years of Solitude was written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the book was published in 1967 in Spanish language in Columbia. Until now it has been translated into thirty-seven languages. The book is written in magical realism style and became a representative novel of Latin America literature. Format of book – paperback. Printing technique – CMYK. Technical drawing, logo and additional text for book cover was provided by Penguin.
THE BOOK STORY
story of seven generations of the Buendía family in the town of Macondo in Columbia.
MAGICAL REALISM
Style in literature where magical elements are blended into a realistic atmosphere
ANALYSIS
Looking for symbolism and metaphors, main characters/generations – personalities/Solitude meaning/Incest/Fluidity of time/Reinforcing gender stereotypes and the connection with the Bible - One Hundred Years of Solitude draws on many of the basic narratives of the Bible, and its characters can be seen as allegorical of some major biblical figures.
COLORS - Yellow and gold are the most frequently used colors in the book and they symbolize imperialism and the Spanish Golden Age. Gold signifies a search for economic wealth, where yellow represents death, change and destruction.
Golden fish – family symbol. Pigs tail – incest sign
Golden fish with pigs tail is a magical realism symbol
FINAL DESIGN
NEGATIVES
higher production price. I didn’t keep the technical drawing provided by Penguin. After research between paperback designs I decided to add an extended flap to cover design. I appreciate the practical function of the flap. For variation with golden fish I recommended golden hot foil even if the specification in the brief was CMYK. The golden hot foil can support better visibility on the book shelf and make book cover more attractive to consumer. Design can be also adjusted in provided technical drawing and fish can be printed with gradient simulation.
POSITIVES
less colors. In case of hot foil book cover can be printed only with 3 colors - Yellow/orange/black
higher production price. I didn’t keep the technical drawing provided by Penguin. After research between paperback designs I decided to add an extended flap to cover design. I appreciate the practical function of the flap. For variation with golden fish I recommended golden hot foil even if the specification in the brief was CMYK. The golden hot foil can support better visibility on the book shelf and make book cover more attractive to consumer. Design can be also adjusted in provided technical drawing and fish can be printed with gradient simulation.
POSITIVES
less colors. In case of hot foil book cover can be printed only with 3 colors - Yellow/orange/black
