The cover features a white background with a contrasting black graphic illustration, rendered in a minimalist manner. The central illustration is based on the plot of the fable “The Inquisitive Man,” where the protagonist, absorbed in examining small details, fails to notice the most important thing — a huge elephant.
The silhouette of the elephant on the cover is revealed through a counterform, created from several large images of bugs and insects. This visual technique not only adds depth to the image but also emphasizes the philosophical essence of the fable, in which the author satirizes the human tendency to focus on insignificant details while overlooking the more important.
The black-and-white palette of the cover gives the edition a strict yet refined appearance, drawing attention to its minimalist design and evoking associations with classic literature. This style of cover design underscores the timelessness and relevance of Krylov’s fables, allowing the book to appear both modern and eternal.
The graphics are free of unnecessary details, focusing on the content’s meaning: the silhouettes of bugs and insects reveal the form of the elephant, creating the illusion that the protagonist of the fable does not see it. This effect enhances the visual and conceptual perception of the book, making it attractive to the reader even before they turn the first page.
Such cover design is a tribute to Krylov and his work, encouraging the modern reader to reflect on the eternal truths skillfully embedded in his fables.
CREDIT
- Agency/Creative: Ekaterina Lukyanchik
- Article Title: Student Concept for the Cover of Ivan Krylov’s Fables Book
- Organisation/Entity: Student
- Project Type: Graphic
- Project Status: Non Published
- Agency/Creative Country: Russia
- Agency/Creative City: Moscow
- Market Region: Global
- Project Deliverables: Art, Design, Graphic Design
- Industry: Education
- Keywords: graphic design, cover book
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Credits:
Student: Ekaterina Lukyanchik
Curator: Pavel Borisovskiy
Education Institution: HSE University Art and Design School