Embedded Files
Client: Liberty University
Professor: Brianna O’Neal
Program: Master of Visual Communication Design
Project: Les Misérables Book Cover Series
Scope: A–Z (Concept, Research, Sketch, Illustration, Presentation)
Year: 2021
A five-volume book cover series for Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, reimagined through contemporary illustration while preserving the novel’s emotional and historical depth. The project interprets Jean Valjean’s journey from darkness to redemption using symbolism, color, and narrative composition.
Four stylistic directions were explored:
Cartoon Symbolism – Simplified motifs and recurring icons such as Valjean’s fist and Cosette’s doll.
Manga Portraits – Expressive character portraits emphasizing emotion and human connection.
Classic Comic – Framed compositions through the Arch of Triumph, referencing Parisian grandeur and pursuit.
Minimal Victorian – Abstract icons and typography capturing key story elements: loaf of bread, scissors, heart, fist, and dove.
The color palette drew from the French flag—deep blue, pale white, and red—enhanced with symbolic hues: purple for suffering, teal for innocence, and yellow for hope. Research encompassed 19th-century Parisian culture, historical typefaces, and artistic adaptations. The final outcome presents a cohesive, collectible series that visually narrates the evolution of humanity, justice, and redemption.
Final Vector Illustration
Details
Some details show techniques like gradient grains and brush strokes.
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