Penguin / Developments

This first template highlighted the concept of creating the shape of a noose & also a droplet of blood relating back to the nature of the novel and the book title. Needs refining to create impact in next developments and also more experimentation with a higher quality noose. 

The next set of developments show a more realistic noose, creating a sense of realism to highlight the non-fiction genre and the reality of the murders/execution. Dark themes set the mood for the rest of the novel. Colour choices include the obvious red and a blue, communicating the term 'cold blood'. Two nooses for two criminals. Experimentation with a contemporary font, provides legibility and a modern tone. Again, these are not dynamic enough. Using the treated ambiguous image of the path to the Clutter family's home adds concept and depth, especially placing the image inside the noose as a perfect analogy to 'doing the crime and now doing the time', the killers 'see' the location where they killed those people. 

After experimentation, hand rendered elements were introduced to add chaos and a personal touch. The nature of the brush stroke relates to blood stains and streaks, and also adds a background for the nooses. Outlined looked empty and unrealistic whereas filled in nooses look more striking and impactful, as the brief asks for. Keeping the colour palette to three colours also maintains an uncluttered and overbearing composition, whilst the tilted text, brush strokes and nooses implement a sense of darkness and dread.

After feedback, it was suggested that the edges of the brush were the weakest part of the design, so adding an image that relates to the case was conceptual and adds another element to the composition. The image is the Clutter family house. The nooses dangling above this image help to convey foreshadowing. This final spread will be refined and tightened up before submitting to the competition.