Monster
The book "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old who is wrongly accused of murder and faces the death penalty if found guilty. The book explores themes of racial discrimination, injustice, dehumanization of people caught in the justice system, isolation, and loneliness.
For this project, the final design portrays Steve as a silhouette. This symbolizes how he was being viewed as a stereotype, devoid of any depth or individuality. Additionally, I wrapped him around yellow lines representing police tape, and communicating how Steve felt trapped by the justice system.
Concept 1.
This description portrays Steve's image based on how the justice system perceived him. One half of his body is depicted as a plain silhouette, while the other half is shown as the stereotype he was associated with - that of a ruthless criminal surrounded by violence.
Concept 2.
In the story, Steve relies on his bicycle to travel from one place to another. This bicycle symbolizes freedom and independence. To foreshadow the challenges that Steve will encounter, I designed the cover in the image of a bicycle warning sign.
Concept 3.
The concept behind this design was to evoke curiosity. A sense of mystery is created by visually separating the imagery from the title. The word "monster" is distanced from the image of a backpack containing everyday items carried by young students, leaving the viewer wanting to know more about the book's content.
Concept 4.
This cover creates a surrealistic image by merging two seemingly unrelated objects — handcuffs and Steve's bicycle. The resulting image conveys a powerful message about Steve's unjust detention and the restrictions it imposed on his freedom.
