As part of a graphic design course at Cambrian College, I undertook a project to redesign the book cover for “Frost Blood” by Elly Blake, simulating a commission from Penguin Books. The goal was to create a visually striking cover that encapsulates the novel’s themes of danger, royalty, elemental powers, and love. This project allowed me to explore advanced design techniques and symbolic imagery to attract potential readers while maintaining the story’s essence.
One of the primary challenges was translating the book’s intricate themes into a single, cohesive visual representation without divulging key plot points. Balancing the portrayal of danger and royalty with subtle hints of elemental powers and love required thoughtful design decisions. Additionally, ensuring that the cover remained both striking and elegant to stand out in a competitive market posed a significant design hurdle.
The redesigned cover features icicles meticulously shaped into fangs, symbolizing the looming threat posed by the throne’s inhabitants. The negative space between the fangs forms the silhouette of a crown, directly connecting to the theme of royalty. Below, blue, icy flowers bloom, representing King’s creation of an ice garden for the protagonist Ruby. This composition effectively conveys the novel’s blend of danger, regal authority, elemental magic, and profound love, all while maintaining an air of mystery that invites readers to explore the story further.