Penguin Adult Fiction Cover Award
THE BRIEF
To design a book cover for Harper Lee’s classic ‘To Kill A Mockingbird.’ Penguin asked for a fresh perspective, something imaginative that stood out in a crowded bookshop setting and would attract a whole new generation of readers.
THE SOLUTION
I wanted to illustrate how the very serious and sometimes sinister themes of the story were told through the naive and innocent eyes of a child. While experimenting with how to best represent a child's perspective, I discovered that colouring books, which are still extremely popular with grown-ups, helped people relax and detach themselves from the outside world, perfect for when your just about to immerse yourself in a book. I thought an interactive colour-in cover would reconnect the audience with their childhood experiences, allowing them to better associate with the innocence of Scout.
