Re-Covered Books: Dracula by Bram Stoker
October 19, 2011 - By Bobby Solomon - Category: Design & Re-Covered Books
I’m a little late in the month for this, but I couldn’t resist doing a themed Re-Covered Book contest for Halloween. So this time around we’re tackling Dracula by Bram Stoker, a classic novel who’s reach has influenced pop culture in so many ways and defined what a modern day vampire was. The book was written back in 1897, and as Wikipedia says, “touches on themes such as the role of women in Victorian culture, sexual conventions, immigration, colonialism, and postcolonialism.” I think this is a great way to look at the book, these themes not necessarily coming across from a pale guy with fangs and a cape.
Your job is to make a super rad cover the portrays those themes without resting upon Hollywood cliches. Perhaps your cover is gruesome? Or maybe you say fuck it all and make the funniest cover ever? It’s up to you, but be sure to steer clear of pre-existing imagery like Bela Lugosi and the such.
The prize for winning, as always, is $100 to Amazon.
RULES
• Please save your images as JPGs no larger than 800px wide at 72 DPI/RGB mode, there’s no height restrictions (within reason). Feel free to play with the dimensions and have fun with what you make. Making a front and back cover with certainly help your chances, but is not required.
• Label your files “Firstname-Lastname-Dracula.jpg”
• Send all entries to contest@thefoxisblack.com with the subject “Re-Covered Books: Dracula“. Cut and paste what I wrote there, it’s super easy and it helps me keep track of your entry.
• All entries are due Saturday, November 12, 2011 by Midnight, PST.
If there are any other questions feel free to leave them in the comments. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with and be sure to tell your friends/classmates/pets to participate. Good luck and have fun!
See the entries below.
Comments
If you've got something to say, keep it positive.Is nudity kosher? PG-13? Hard G?
@Kevin – Tasteful nudity is totally fine. If you’d be embarrassed to show your mother, you’ve crossed the line.
From the post:
“Re-Covered Books: The Outsiders“ – just wanted to double check, was that meant to be “Re-Covered Books: Dracula”?
yes! haha I am so excited! I was hoping you’d pick something in honor of halloween. I am over the moon it’s Dracula though. This novel and Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” and ” The Vampire Lestat are my top vamp novels. Great pick Bobby, it’s sure to rear up some killer work from your readers.
@Riley – Yes, Dracula, I changed it in the post : )
Michael Lashford is my favourite concept so far, a nice nod to the cliche, but with a new twist.
Yes Michael Lashford’s was the stand-out for me too. Hope to get my entry in this week.
I really like the work of Simon Lindenthaler (the 1st one), even if Michael Lashford did a really great work.
Hope to get my entry this week too ^^.
These are great! Totally making me want to read this book! Love Paul Jeffery’s. But I’m a minimalist.
These are all amazing! I wish I had time to make one, maybe next time. This is going to be a tough decision!
Amazing ones by Simon Lindenthaler.
Heather Shaw’s submission is actually frightening.
Steve St. Pierre is the winner in my opinion. Simple concept, great typography.
Sent my entry and can’t wait to see it posted :-)
Damn’, missed the deadline.
These are just great. Personally, I love it when design captures both the popular imagination of the story and the very “literal” identity of a story in print. Case in point, J Talesfore’s submission playing off the book as an epistolary novel, i.e. the book as a diary, and also the very literal horror that the the name “Dracula” evokes. Draaacuuula!!! Love em.
Did anybody else just read the book for the first time and get very taken aback by the fact that Dracula has a big white mustache?
Which would have made my Sam Elliott splattered with clip art blood cover all the more relevant. Damn you deadlines!
Great submissions, however, by the more disciplined readers.
Gregory Sujkowski and Chase Kunz covers are really great
Misho Zivanov has the coolest entry! I like that leather bound look. I looks like the book has been read by vampires themselves…
Misho Zivanov has a great cover design!
I like Misho Zivanov entry. Minimalistic in approach with a classic look. I like the way how the blood looks dripping from the covers to the pages.
That leather one by Misho Zivanov! I want it!
The Best cover design has Misho Zivanov!It is great cover!