Epboards9

The Concept

VANISHING ACT. For this brief, I set myself the challenge of redesigning a series of cover options for Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel ‘Gone Girl.’

The novel is about the disappearance of Amy Dunne, and her husband Nick’s attempts to piece together the novel’s events.

There are several different concepts for the designs that I have produced: two of the designs visualise the first paragraph of the novel in which Nick declares his obsession with the back of Amy’s head, whilst the third is a visual play on the idea of disappearing.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #9

OUGD603

Gone Girl Cover

Research

The genre of the novel is quite difficult to define, as it contains elements from both the crime and thriller genres, I have researched into both of these to see if there are any conventions or interesting design features.

Most of the novels from these genres feature

photography on their covers, as well as strong and assertive text that attracts the attention of the audience.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #9

OUGD603

Gone Girl Cover

Research

Elizabeth Tyrer

OUGD603

Brief #9

Gone Girl Cover

The Development

The main concept for the cover design was based upon the description of Amy in the first paragraph of the book. I have experimented with hand rendered type for a more ‘girly’ style of cover, but felt that this detracted from the strong imagery. I also played with

a bolder red, black and white colour palette before deciding to strip it back to black and white, as again I felt that the red was too distracting and perhaps a little cliched. The black and white palette also allowed for consistency within my other designs.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #9

OUGD603

Gone Girl Cover

The Design

To ensure consistency, I gave myself two restrictions: a black and white colour palette and the use of the Domaine typeface. The black and white reflects the two sides of the story as well as representing good vs evil, whilst Domaine is bold, stylish and feminine.

Two of the covers feature a distorted image of the back of Amy’s head, referencing the first chapter of the book in which Nick discusses his fascination with it. Only being able to see her head also adds a sense of suspense and mystery to the cover.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #9

OUGD603

The third cover plays on Amy’s disappearance in that she is gone, but still there. I have visually represented this using black foiled text, and placed it onto a black and white background so that it is blends into the black whilst also being visible in the light.

Gone Girl Cover

The Design

The back covers feature a small piece of copy taken from the original blurb that creates a sense of suspense and mystery, imploring the reader to purchase the book. The designs use strong, large type to add impact, and design elements similar to the front covers.

Elizabeth Tyrer

OUGD603

Brief #9

Gone Girl Cover