bookcovers: GDT
covers…they are the most complex part of a book project. There are many cooks in the kitchen, and it isn’t always the case that the designers’s favorite iteration makes it through.
one of the most interesting collaborations on covers has been remotely with Guillermo del Toro. As anyone who has read about him knows, he is both a demanding and a generous director.
I have never met GDT, and have spoken to him only once by phone. Our conversation has been purely a back an forth we have had in doing a series of his books.
His notes are always so positive that the editor forwards them through, and they often come with a little suggestion, a little suggestion that I am happy to pursue for him.
Guillermo started out making props, I think he has a creator’s understanding of process. I can see that he maintains long relationships with his team of artists, and I think it his gentle on-your-team engagement that brings out the best in people.
The first GDT book that I think establishes what is our general direction was Pan’s Labyrinth. The storybook nature of the project, mixed with how we were able to show it was suggestive of the elaborate labyrinth cover. And as I worked on it little story elements worked their way into the frame. GDT picked the color, and we were off.
Devil’s Backbone was the next one, though it came about in tandem with Shape of Water.
For Devi'l’s We had the door concept and the general texture when GDT asked if we wanted a frame. For Pan’s, the typography was suggestive of the elaborate classical details. For DB I sided more clearly w the socialists and went with more modernist typography. For the frame I went all out and did and art deco frame w/ cartoon elements from the storyboards. GDT loved it. And as an easter egg for Guillermo himself, I put a cigar label in the frame. It underscores a key, but subtle story element.
For Shape, again, I was first going with the modernist brutalist inspiration of the defense building. I had a concept to do the wettest looking cover ever. Over time we got the poster that was beautiful. And again GDT kindly asked for the frame. At first I struggled, trying to find a new way to do it, but eventually I realized he was pointing me to the series we were creating. I dreamed up the mix/ art deco/ brutalist frame, and then put some more easter eggs in it, my way of saying how much I appreciate working with such a kind and insightful collaborator.
The GDT books are at the Books link
https://jonathan-glick-zdp4.squarespace.com