Designing a Book Cover for We Should All Be Feminists: Strength, Growth and Humanity

Designing a Book Cover for We Should All Be Feminists: Strength, Growth and Humanity

A hand-drawn book cover exploring feminism through strength, growth and balance. An illustrator’s thoughtful approach for publishers and art directors.

Designing a Book Cover for We Should All Be Feminists

When I designed my illustrated cover for We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, my intention was to visually reflect the depth, clarity and balance of the book itself.

This is not a manifesto rooted in anger or division. It is a call for education, understanding and cultural shift. I wanted the cover to communicate feminism as strength, resilience and shared humanity — without relying on visual stereotypes.

Moving beyond clichés

Many feminist book covers lean heavily into familiar visual shorthand — bright pinks, raised fists or overt symbolism. For this project, I deliberately chose not to go in that direction.

Instead, I worked with a grounded colour palette of black, deep orange and navy. These tones convey seriousness, confidence and permanence. They reflect feminism not as a trend, but as something rooted and enduring.

Growth as a visual metaphor

The hand-drawn plant and leaf forms used throughout the cover act as a metaphor for growth, resilience and interconnected systems. Plants grow quietly but persistently, reshaping their environment over time — much like social change.

This felt particularly aligned with the book’s message: feminism as a long-term cultural shift rather than a confrontational stance.

Hand-drawn to keep it human

Every element of the cover is hand-drawn. This was a conscious choice to retain warmth, texture and imperfection.

Feminism, as explored in this book, is deeply human. It is about lived experience, everyday behaviour and cultural habits. The hand-drawn quality reinforces that humanity and avoids the coldness that can come with overly digital or polished visuals.

Strength without exclusion

One of the most important considerations for this cover was balance. We Should All Be Feminists is not about putting men down — it is about expanding understanding and value across society.

The visual language reflects that inclusivity. Strong without being aggressive. Confident without being hostile. Thoughtful rather than performative.

A considered approach to book cover design

This project reflects how I approach all book cover work: by reading closely, listening carefully, and translating ideas into visual language that honours the author’s intent while connecting emotionally with readers.

For publishers and art directors, this piece demonstrates my interest in designing covers that carry meaning beneath the surface — work that invites engagement before the first page is turned.