winner

pENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
STUDENT DESIGN AWARD

To Kill A Mockingbird is an iconic book with many cover iterations. To stand out amongst thousands of entries in the international competition, I had to answer the timeless question - how do you redesign a classic for a modern context? 

Wanting to steer away from oversaturated imagery of mockingbirds, I used a defining point in the novel which proves the characters innocence.
Focusing on the left hand as a significant symbol of innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird, the black printed hand conveys key themes of race and injustice within the book, contrasting the light yellow background which symbolises the division in 1930’s southern America. The bird feet detailing in the hand creases nod to the title of the book, while the writing on the creases are a metaphor for the fate of the character.

Winning first place and gaining national media coverage was a great honour in the formative years of my career. It secured me a Design Internship at Penguin Random House, during which I developed my narrative skills which have benefited my career to this day.

Judges’ comments:

“A bold, graphic solution. It’s a confident concept that catches your attention on first viewing but layers of meaning reveal themselves as you look. A worthy winner.” Richard Ogle – Art Director, Penguin Random House

“This cover is bold, eye-catching and dramatic. The design invites you to pick it up. I love that the lettering is so small and the birds’ feet can be found, with a closer look, in the creases of the hand.”
Suzanne Dean – Art Director, Penguin Random House

“I love how this illustrated the main themes from the book with layers and simplicity: divisions of race, the accused being right-handed, swearing on the Bible in court. I think it works well that the title of such an iconic book is small and to be discovered.”
Sarah Hyndman - Graphic Designer & Author

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