Book Cover Research Articles

Embracing Minimalism: A Guide to Modern Graphic Design Practices

Over time, the practice of graphic design has been undergoing progressive changes so much so that various authorities have come up with various specifications. There are various types of graphic designs amongst which are web design, user interface and user experience design, advertising and marketing design, game design, motion graphics, cartoons and animations, illustrations and typography, and publication design to mention but a few. This topic extrapolates the nuances of a minimalist approach to modern graphic design and in this essay; the word “graphics” has been used as a generic term that encapsulates corporate designs of items such as news magazines, journals, annual reports, calendars, book cover designs and such like. The objective of this research is to bring to the fore and compartmentalize the various stages of the minimalist approach to creating a cutting-edge modest design. The research methodology employed for this study is studio-based and practice-led, the survey and quasi-ethnographic study with some touch of literature review. Discussion exclusively centered on the antecedents of minimalism and steps to be taken in achieving a catchy design using the simplest techniques possible while it was concluded that it is more advantageous to adopt the minimalist approach to graphic designs with reasons rightly highlighted and expatiated on.

The Implantation Application of Traditional Chinese Calligraphy in Book Cover Design under Contemporary Aesthetic Trend

The Implantation Application of Traditional Chinese Calligraphy in Book Cover Design under Contemporary Aesthetic Trend

How To Read (and Write) a Book

Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren’s classic How to Read a Book gives useful guidance. It explains how to evaluate whether a book is worth reading. It also gives you tips for getting the most out of the books that you read. Their advice on reading also suggests some tips for better writing. Pick an important topic and say something important about it. Do your research and organize your presentation. Keep your writing clear and simple. Make clear and reasoned arguments and anticipate the objections that your audience may raise. Above all, make sure that your title, front matter, back matter, and book cover tell the reader what your book is about and why it is worth reading.

The Autoimmune Library: An Arts-Based Approach to Women of Color’s (Counter)Narratives of Chronic Illness

ABSTRACT Guided by critical race theorizing (CRT) and arts-based methodologies (i.e., metaphor and pictorial narrative mapping [PNM]), the present study analyzed the healthcare (counter)narratives of 150 United States (U.S.) women of color (i.e., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, Native American/Alaska Native, and Multiracial) who have autoimmune disease. Sensitized by the metaphor of a library book, participants were asked to story their healthcare journey through identification of a title, chapters, genre, and book cover description (i.e., [Illness] Storybook Survey). Using critical thematic analysis, we first identified dominant and counter-narratives present in participant storybooks, categorized by literary supra-themes of characters (i.e., dominant narrative of me versus my body, counter-narratives of me versus the system and illness as lineal), plot (i.e., dominant narrative of a hero’s journey, counter-narrative of chaos), and tone (i.e., dominant narrative of inspiration, counter-narratives of tangible self-help and humor). Next, guided by PNM, a data visualization technique, each author illustrated one counter-narrative within each literary supra-theme. Our analysis interrogates how participants’ stories both reify and resist ideological and structural power at the intersections of their racial, gender, and illness identities. Collectively, this study offers unique contributions to critical, intersectional, and arts-based approaches to communication research, and forwards new methods for studying health narratives historically located in the margins.

Expressive Typography on Book Covers

This study examines the importance and practicality of using expressive typography on book covers to engage readers and convey the tone and atmosphere of the book. The study focuses on the historical aspects of book cover design and typography, tracing the evolution of typography in book cover design and analyzing current trends in the use of expressive typography. It showcases various examples of book covers that effectively utilize expressive typography and explores how these designs contribute to establishing a unique style and attracting new readers. The study concludes that the creative incorporation of expressive typography is a valuable tool in book cover design, helping to establish the author's brand and identity and creating visually striking designs that stand out in a competitive market.

Exploring Narcopolis as a Postmodern Narrative and Semiotic Text

Jeet Thayil’s Narcopolis (2012), inspired by his own experience as an opium and later heroin addict, paints a vivid picture of the seedy underbelly of 1970s Bombay. The novel features a multitude of characters from the opium dens of Bombay and threads multiple narratives, subversive and carnivalesque, to create a postmodern chronicle of the city. This article analyzes the narrative techniques in Jeet Thayil's novel Narcopolis (2012) to explore traits of postmodernity. It contends that the occurrence of multiple narratives, whose reliability is questionable, indicates a Barthian death of the author, encouraging the readers to give meaning to the text. Also, an inquiry into the novel’s commentary on its own narrative style indicates self-reflexivity. A study of the chronotope will be undertaken to decipher the temporality in the novel. Besides, the article will look out for possibilities of embedded narratives, plot digressions, and intertextuality. It also intends to scrutinize the novel using the tools of social semiotics. Linguistic analysis of discourse entails a monolithic approach, wherein it considers language as the only mode of interpretation of a text. Gunther Kress and Theo Van Leeuwen suggest that this limitation can be overcome by social semiotics, which studies a text in its multimodality. Signs, linguistic as well as nonlinguistic, are apparent through multiple modes, such as language, sound, visual, and so forth. The incorporation of certain pictures, changes in typography of certain pages as well as the book cover of Narcopolis poses a rich possibility of the semiotic understanding of the text through visual mode. Lastly, this article will aim to establish a connection between the narrative techniques and the semiotic interpretation of the text.

Reading Between The Shadows: Barthes' Semiotic Analysis of 'The Monstrumologist' Cover Design

The book cover design plays a crucial role in attracting readers' attention and conveying the essence of the story within. This article analyzes the cover of "The Monstrumologist" by Rick Yancey, designed by Olvyanda Ariesta, using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. The analysis explores three levels of meaning: denotation, connotation, and myth. At the denotation level, visual elements such as a dark road, large shadow, red blood, and a big clock are identified and described. At the connotation level, these elements reveal deeper meanings related to themes of horror, threat, and the tension of time. At the myth level, the combination of these visual elements reflects profound cultural and social values about the struggle between good and evil, as well as human fear of the unknown. Furthermore, this article discusses the influence and experimentation of the designer in achieving an engaging and meaningful final design. Through a qualitative approach with an emphasis on literature studies, this article presents a comprehensive analysis of how the visual elements on the cover of "The Monstrumologist" not only attract attention but also convey deep themes within the story. The results of the analysis show that this cover design successfully creates a rich visual narrative and enhances readers' experience of this horror novel.

Development Of Comic Media To Enhance Knowledge And Attitudes Of Adolescent Girls Towards Personal Hygiene

Introduction: This research aims to explore and design a comic book cover design that can attract the attention of adolescents, considering input from a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Visual style and aesthetics of the comic are considered crucial to engage the primary target audience, which is adolescents. Materials & Methods: This study used a qualitative approach to explore the development of an Islamic-themed comic suitable for the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) community. The research employed a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach to gather input and preferences from adolescents regarding the cover design, characters, storyline, and visual aesthetics of the comic. The FGD discussion results were then used as a basis to design a comic that aligns with the target audience. Results: The development of an Islamic-themed comic for the pesantren community requires attention to several critical aspects. First, the comic must prioritize the conveyance of moral messages and Islamic teachings through its visual aesthetics, featuring scenes that reflect the ethics, morality, and religious practices upheld by the pesantren. The use of widely recognized Islamic symbols, such as Arabic calligraphy and Islamic emblems, can reinforce the Islamic identity of the comic. The selection of warm and neutral colors is also essential to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, which is characteristic of the religious context. A simpler, cleaner, and more realistic artistic style is generally preferred by the pesantren community. Attention to representational ethics, such as the selection of modest clothing and character appearances that reflect propriety and dignity, must also be considered. Finally, the visual aesthetics of the comic should reflect the local cultural context of the pesantren, to enrich the visual experience of the readers and strengthen the identity of the pesantren. The FGD results emphasize that the comic book cover design should be simple yet appealing, using vibrant colors that can captivate adolescents. The Japanese or Korean anime visual style is considered most suitable to the current tastes of adolescents. However, Islamic values must be maintained, such as in the character’s appearance and attitude, which should reflect an Islamic personality. Furthermore, the main character of the comic should embody a diligent and positive female role model to inspire adolescent readers. The storyline is designed to provide a comprehensive and educational narrative about personal hygiene in the life of a pesantren. Conclusion: The findings of this research emphasize the importance of a simple yet appealing comic book cover design, utilizing Japanese or Korean anime styles to capture the attention of adolescents while still maintaining Islamic values. The visual aesthetics of the comic must reflect the moral message of Islam through the use of Islamic symbols, appropriate color choices, and a simple yet realistic art style.

The reception of post-Soviet Russian fiction through the peritexts of Finnish translations

ABSTRACT This article is based on research addressing the reception of post-Soviet Russian fiction in the twenty-first century (2000–2023) through Finnish translations and the notions of Russia and Russian literature mediated through them. The investigation of translated fiction draws on imagology, i.e. the study of images and cross-national perceptions in literary representations. Focusing on the peritexts, a subcategory of paratexts coined by Genette (1987/1997), the article investigates book cover texts and publishers’ descriptions of the translated works to find out how the translations are received and introduced to readers of the target culture. The translations comprise 101 books, first translated during 2000–2023. The peritexts were retrieved directly from the printed books or using the search service Finna.fi and publisher websites. The analysis was conducted with help of a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis tool, designed to support inductive, data-driven qualitative analysis. As a result of the analysis, three thematic groups emerging from the peritexts were identified: 1) the portrayal of the (Soviet) Russian past and post-Soviet society as grim, insane and tragic, 2) the emphasis on realism and truthfulness of the image of Russia conveyed by the translations, and 3) praise of the authors’ literary skills.

EVALUATION OF THE BOOK "UNSKILLED JOBS IN WEST KALIMANTAN" AS AN EXTENSIVE READING MATERIAL FOR TANJUNGPURA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The use of books by students needs to be checked and evaluated periodically to see the book's quality. The book "Unskilled Jobs in West Kalimantan" was assessed to catch readers' responses in the context of the physical appearance of the book and its content. The research was carried out by distributing a mixed questionnaire containing book evaluation and understanding of the books read. Based on the research results, readers responded positively to the book's physical aspects, including layout, design, and cover. Apart from that, the assessment of the book's contents in terms of diction also received a positive response. Readers understand the reading in the book more quickly in a short time. This book is designed for intermediate-level readers. It can be concluded that the book Unskilled Jobs in West Kalimantan meets readers' expectations at the intermediate level.

THE BOOK COVER AS A NON-VERBAL MEANS OF NARRATIVE CREATING (BASED ON J. K. ROWLING’S “HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE”)

This scientific research is devoted to the analysis of book covers of the fourth part of septology about the little sorcerer by the British author J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". The purpose of the study is to identify the patterns of creation of illustrative images (on the cover) depending on the language of the work of fantasy literature and the target readership. The sample consists of publications in English (in the UK and the United States of America) and in Ukrainian. Particular attention was paid to the methods of creating covers by illustrators, their vision of the work and the target readership to which the publication was directed. The object of the study is a series of covers of the Harry Potter narrative in the English-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking society. The subject of the research is the process of influence of the book cover on the popularity of its narrative among readers in different countries and among different age groups. The issue of differences in the depiction of the novel by English-speaking illustrators in the original language (Bloomsbury Publishing House) and in American translation (Scholastic Publishing House), as well as by Ukrainian artists in the Ukrainian edition (A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA Publishing House) is considered. The results of the study are, on the one hand, the confirmation of the hypothesis regarding the dependence of the creation of illustrations by artists according to the language and the reader; on the other hand, it is found that the worldview of the illustrator himself is the basis for the depiction of the main characters on the cover of the novel.

ANALYSIS OF THE MATERIALS OF ISLAMIC RELIGION EDUCATION THROUGH THEOLOGICAL APPROACHES: STUDY OF THE ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CHARACTER TEXTBOOK FOR GRADE 1 OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

This research is qualitative research with a literature review approach by examining PAI content in PAI textbooks and Class 1 Elementary School Characters in a theological context. The objectives include: 1) carrying out theological categorization of the content of Islamic Religious Education in the textbook Islamic Religious Education and Character Class 1, 2) classifying the material in the book based on a theological approach, and 3) exploring its relevance. PAI content in the book is aimed at contemporary Islamic education. The primary data source for this research is the PAI and Character Class 1 Elementary School Textbook written by Nurzakun & Santoso (2021). The analysis technique used is content analysis. The findings of this research indicate that: 1) the content of PAI in the PAI and Character textbooks for Grade 1 Elementary School can be considered comprehensive and presented in simple language to facilitate students' understanding; 2) The contents of the book cover theological themes, with the main focus on theocentric themes; 3) Holistically, the PAI content in this book can be seen as relevant and significantly contributing in a theological context. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of PAI content about theological aspects, thereby increasing understanding in this academic domain. The implications of this research are: 1) Relevance of learning, 2) Development of character textbooks, 3) Development of professional teachers, 4) Curriculum development, 5) Increasing understanding of Islam, 6) Involvement of parents and the community in the implementation of education.

Non-invasive inspection for a hand-bound book of the 19th century: Numerical simulations and experimental analysis of infrared, terahertz, and ultrasonic methods

Due to fungal growth and mishandling in the book, there are various types of defects as they age such as foxing, tears, and creases. It is important to develop novel non-invasive inspection techniques and defect recognition algorithms. In this work, three non-invasive inspection techniques, including infrared thermography (IRT), terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), and air-coupled ultrasound (ACU), were employed for the detection of defects in an ancient book cover. To improve the image quality and defect contrast, principal component analysis, fast Fourier transform, and partial least squares regression algorithms are used as the post-processing methods. Furthermore, the YOLOv7 network is deployed for defect automatic detection. Finite element analysis and finite-difference time-domain methods were employed for generating training dataset of YOLOv7 network. Experimental results demonstrate that IRT and THz-TDS has excellent detection capability for surface and subsurface defects, respectively. By employing YOLOv7 network with simulation datasets, defects can be effectively identified.

Pengembangan Local Stories Book untuk Siswa Kelas 1 Sekolah Dasar Kecamatan Singorojo Kabupaten Kendal

This research aims to develop a local stories book in Indonesian language subjects for grade 1 elementary school students in Singorojo District, Kendal Regency. This research also aims to determine the validity and practicality of the local stories book which was developed according to students' needs. This research uses a development model according to Sugiyono which includes potential and problems, data collection, product design, design validation, design improvement, product testing, and product revision. The data analysis techniques used are quantitative and qualitative, the variables studied include the validity of the local stories book which was developed through validation by expert experts and practicality based on student questionnaire responses. Based on the research results, it was found that (1) the local stories book validity test by material experts obtained an overall score of 87; (2) media expert aspects of book size, book cover design, and book content design received an overall score of 92; (3) and the practicality test based on the student response questionnaire obtained a score of 88.8. Thus, it is hoped that this research can make a contribution to the field of education and provide solutions that can be used by teachers in facing future learning challengesKeywords: Indonesian Book, Local Stories Book

A Systematic Review of Lu Xun's Cover Design Research Over the Last Two Decades

Lu Xun, the founder of modern Chinese literature, designed many self-published books. He merged Western art techniques with Eastern aesthetic traditions, laying the foundation for the modernisation of Chinese book design. However, comprehensive studies on this topic are rare in current research. The aim of this study is to investigate the research trends on Lu Xun's book cover design. We systematically analysed the data from 2004 to 2023 using VOSviewer and Excel software based on the CNKI database. The results of the performance analysis show that there is an overall upward trend in the research on Lu Xun's book cover design. We identified six themes by analysing co-occurring keywords: Lu In recent years, research has shifted from discussing traditional culture to exploring the aesthetic qualities of Lu Xun's book covers. This study may serve as a valuable resource to inspire future researchers.

Analysis of Sociology Textbook for Grade XI: Srikandi Empat Curriculum 2013 Revision

This research aims to analyze the Sociology textbook for Grade XI, Curriculum 2013 Revised Edition, published by Srikandi Empat. The analysis covers aspects such as content, content presentation, language aspects, and graphical aspects of the book. The results of this analysis meet the criteria set by Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 8 of 2016. However, there are still some shortcomings in the book cover, back cover, spine, title page, and language aspects. Nevertheless, in terms of content and content presentation, it complies with the regulations in force and does not affect the content of the book. This research adopts a qualitative approach with content analysis method. The analysis is conducted with reference to Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 8 of 2016, including the book cover, introduction, content, conclusion, and student activity content. As a recommendation, the author suggests improving the illustration images to make them more colorful and visually appealing.

Orhan Pamuk Literature in Japanese

This article gives an account of the paratexts of the Orhan Pamuk translations into Japanese between “2004-2024” and is based on my “descriptive and product-oriented” paratextual research on the Japanese translations of Pamuk literature (Oğuz Baykara, Orhan Pamuk Japoncada, Forum Tauri Press, İstanbul). This study has four basic aims: The first aim is to identify the paratexts of Pamuk Literature in Japanese and create a corpus. The second aim is to obtain empirical data from the Japanese paratexts inside the Orhan Pamuk translations (peritexts: such as the book cover, dust jacket, bands, introduction, preface, epilogue, etc.) and some paratexts outside the book (epitexts: such as translation-related articles, translation criticisms, promotional texts, etc.) and translate them into Turkish. The third aim is to present the translated empirical data to the readers in the form of texts, diagrams, tables, and statistical figures. The fourth and final aim is to determine the position of Orhan Pamuk Literature in the “Turkish Japanese Translation History” in the last 100 years and evaluate its contributions to the global visibility of Turkish Literature in the Japanese context.

Text on Book Cover: Blurb as a Genre

This article examines the annotation to book editions as a genre of publishing discourse. The aim is to provide an overview of the existing linguistic understanding of the genre’s characteristics, its functional-pragmatic communicative specificity, as well as the features related to the linguistic and cultural traditions of book publishing. The material consists of scientific articles and monographs in Russian and English published from the early 2000s to the present, selected based on keywords. The first review of the degree of research and current directions in the study of the declared genre revealed a problem of an unsettled terminological designation of this genre both in domestic and foreign practice. An approach to differentiating existing terms is proposed and justified. The functions of texts in the genre of publishing annotation are summarized and systematized, with the functional duality of informing and persuasive impact proposed as the foundation. A small number of comparative and diachronic studies were identified, the results of which would be useful for justifying the ongoing transformation process within the studied genre, according to some linguists. The conclusion is drawn that the annotation to book editions is shifting from being a reference apparatus to the realm of marketing communication, advertising, and book promotion.

Soft power and its implications for political book cover designs

Soft power and its implications for political book cover designs

Implementasi metode read aloud dalam mengembangkan kosa kata anak di kelompok A TK Mentari Loa Janan

This research is motivated by the importance of developing children's vocabulary in their language skills. The choice of method for implementation is also no less important. It is hoped that choosing the read aloud method will provide a pleasant atmosphere and be able to facilitate children in acquiring vocabulary. This method is a means that can provide a wide variety of vocabulary to children. The aim of this research is to determine the implementation of the read aloud method in developing the vocabulary of children in group A. This research is field research with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through observation, interviews and documentation. The subjects in this research were the Principal and Teacher of Mentari Loa Janan Kindergarten. The validity of the data was tested through triangulation of sources, techniques and time. Data analysis refers to the work steps of Miles, Huberman, and Saldana involving data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of this research relate to the implementation of the read aloud method applied by teachers in developing children's vocabulary. Planning consists of selecting books that suit the learning theme and pre-reading the books. The implementation consists of creating a pleasant atmosphere, showing and introducing the book cover, actively interacting with the children, asking questions to the children and discussing about 4-5 new vocabulary words in the book. Evaluation is carried out by asking children about the story they have just read, including the content, concepts and vocabulary. Assessment of vocabulary development itself is carried out by paying attention to children's conversations and language use. Although the research results provide an overview of the implementation of the read aloud method, further research is still needed to evaluate the long-term impact on children's vocabulary development. This can be a basis for developing more concrete recommendations to increase the effectiveness of using the read aloud method in the context of vocabulary development for children in group A.