Normal People

A self-initiated study exploring an alternative cover design for Normal People by Sally Rooney. (Not that it needs it. The American portrait version is one of my favorite cover designs of all time! I love the red British cover, too. I'm not surprised this book inspires a canvas of imagination.)

I challenged myself with new ways of finalzing my drawings.

I connected deeply with Rooney’s writing style and characters. I aimed to capture and summarize the book's darkness, mood, and themes.

Played around the themes of control, isolation, hiding, coming of age, good match, hot and cold dynamic.
I also tried a less grounded and more imaginative unique kind of hand. 

Initial Pencil concept idea I jotted down right before finishing the book.

It might be influenced by the novel Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, which I finished reading earlier this year.