A Self-Initiated Project for the Penguin Book Archive of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

I did a self-initiated project in which I created a conceptual book cover for the Penguin Book Archive for ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee.

In designing this cover, I hand-drew a mockingbird and a gavel, two symbols that profoundly resonate with the core messages of the story. The mockingbird represents innocence and the moral imperative to protect the vulnerable, while the gavel symbolizes the law and the quest for justice. Together, these elements encapsulate the essence of the narrative and highlight the themes of empathy and social justice that are central to Harper Lee’s iconic novel. The creative process began with sketching out the illustrations. I also hand-lettered the title to add a personal touch to the design. This allowed me to infuse my style into the cover while maintaining the integrity of the overall composition. I used Photoshop to add color and depth. My goal was to create a visually striking cover that would invite readers to engage with the story. The color palette I chose reflects the themes of the book—a mix of earthy tones and soft hues that evoke the Southern setting and cultural context.

I created patterns that can be used for endpapers and the sides of the book. I also experimented with other book cover illustrations and designs