This is something that I am NOT proud of, but it happens! I still managed to submit a design that I was happy with so for now that is all that matters (and also shows I can work to very tight deadlines).
Anyway, after reading the book, I blinked and two months passed. The night before the deadline I was considering just submitting A Clockwork Orange and Emil and the Detectives to the penguin design award but the words from (I can't remember which illustrator) rattled around my head; "Never miss a deadline", so I set my alarm for 5.30 the next morning.
Concept
I knew that I was set on the idea of a dress-up paper doll theme for the front cover. Dress up paper dolls have been around for a fairly long time, more popular a few years back but I had some as a child so they aren't ancient. The idea is that you cut out a doll figure and a range of different outfits and accessories, and dress the doll up in said outfits (it is more fun than I am making it sound). So I thought that I would play on the idea a little by illustrating a ~curvy~ woman doll with cut out items that are more suited for an adult audience, for example underwear, tampons, the pill etc. for a humorous/satirical effect.
Difficulties
It was so difficult to illustrate the book's main principles without falling into the obvious cliches. As well with undertaking another brief focused on avoiding gender stereotypes, made me constantly question whether or not I was being sexist and inconsiderate of alternative genders. It was a constant question of 'will this offend someone?' because that is the last thing that I would want to do. Although eventually I just bit the bullet and asked myself 'would Caitlin Moran give a shit if she offended anyone? probably not.' So therefore I just went with my ideas anyway in the hope that they were specific to the brief.
Process
Obviously the process was quicker than I had hoped, but I was determined to use hand-rendered methods as opposed to my usual 'get out of jail card' by using digital for a last minute cop out. To keep things simple and effective, I used a black and white colour scheme as this reflects the almost 'black and white', 'say it how it is' tone of the book. I painted out each female item with a fine brush and ink, as well as completely blagging a hand made typeface which actually didn't look too bad. Then to pull it all together I scanned everything in and arranged it on the template in photoshop; the most attention to detail was put into the arrangement and layout of the cover as I strived for the finish to look as professional as possible. And voila! A book jacket in five hours.
Evaluation
Much to my surprise, I was pleased with the outcome of the final cover. It isn't my best work in the world, but considering that I managed to turn it around in such a short space of time I was quite proud of myself. Of course I don't plan to leave briefs in the future as last minute as I have this one but if I have gained anything I have improved my quick-thinking and producing skills.
In all honesty, I think that this brief was the most difficult from the three books in the penguin design award as feminism is such a sensitive and in some ways blasé it is such a challenge to approach in the most suitable way. Although playing to Caitlin Moran's elaborate and eccentric character and style of writing helped me to portray this within my illustration, that is playful, distinctive and relatable.
I won't write the obvious closing statement of 'next time I will manage my time better' because I try so hard to be organised with my time and plan things out accurately, but it is almost impossible to gauge how long the illustrative process will take sometimes. A better way to think might be 'what do I want to achieve from this brief' or 'I want to make a piece of illustration that I am proud of and want to put in my portfolio', rather than just thinking 'I need to get this done before the deadline'. For me, the latter was the approach I took for this project, and in future I hope to place more value on the whole of the duration of the brief to ensure that I progress as an illustrator.
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