Brave New World

Aldous Huxley's classic novel, written in 1932, depicts a "perfect" society—but what about those who do not fit into the perfect society?

For the first two versions, I wanted the cover to look like a smuggled-out secret spy photo of a factory where humans are made and bottled. First I created the label and the black-and-white spy image. Then I created the type treatment, inspired by signage of the 1930s to accentuate the "retro-future" feel of the novel.

For the two covers below, I used a retro illustration of the "perfect society of the future" complete with zoomy monorails, imposing skyscrapers and the jet-like cars. To undercut the surface perfection, I altered the sky first to a hellish red, and then to an ominous green. I wanted the title to jump off the page as if it were a Broadway theater marquee or a 1930s movie poster. The idea is that these covers would be eye grabbing on any shelf.