It Exists In Narnia

MY ARTIST STATEMENT:

    I do not need worldly things to keep me happy—but I still cannot deny that I have always found joy in reading a good book. Books have always been one of those material things that have never failed to bring me comfort and entertainment. I was frequently read to as a child, and once I learned how to read, I then insisted upon reading those same childhood books myself. During every grade of school, more often than not, you would find me in the library. You still can today. Books and storytelling have always been part of my life, and they always will be. A vital part of the book is the book’s cover. People like to say “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” which can be a nice statement to live by. However, the truth is that book covers are what actually first grab our attention and draw us over to a book sitting on a shelf. If it isn’t interesting enough, potential readers won’t want to pick it up and find out more. You could almost say that a book’s cover is its first line of defense. The science of book covers is quite intriguing. And so, through graphic design and digital art, I have created and redesigned book covers for a favored childhood book series that consists of seven books in all. The Chronicles of Narnia has always been one of my favorite stories. Growing up, this was one of the book series that I would reread multiple times and never get tired of. Fantasy is my favored genre of books, and this series is one of the classics. Beyond that, there is another truly important reason for choosing this book series for my project. There are numerous traditional Christian themes hidden within each book’s story—something that C.S. Lewis himself claimed wasn’t worked into the story on purpose. My religion and my faith have always been a significant part of my life. I was raised in a Christian family, and have been Christian as long as I can remember. Through this topic, I will get the opportunity to subtly display my faith in the underlying tones of my project—just as C.S. Lewis snuck it into the story of his novels. Each book’s cover has its own symbols that are unique to its story. At the same time, they each share similar elements and pieces that keep the seven of them linked together as a whole. I believe that when viewers see the covers of a timeless book series redesigned in a new, contemporary way, they will feel the same sense of nostalgia and familiarity that I do. This project acts as a perfect note to end on in my studies of graphic design. These book covers will allow me to truly express my style and test my skills. It is a way for me to bring together and use everything I have learned these past four years, and to wholeheartedly enjoy creating something I can look back on and always be proud of. With these book covers, I can finally pin down and decipher my ever-elusive personal style once and for all.