Penguin NW - Initial ideas

Moving on from the idea generation and brainstorming stage I decided that to me the moonlight had the most symbolic relevance and impact consistently throughout the book. I wanted to develop some initial ideas with this as the main focus and then also look at incorporating small details that link to other themes within the book. 

Figure 1 is designed in a style that visually represents the topic of mental health within the book. The neutral colour palette, sans serif typeface and very simple window vector all portray the calm and safe environment that is described to be felt in the sanatorium - Ami Hostel. The incorporation of the journey from Kobe to Tokyo was also included under the moonlight subtly acting as the reflection. It was created by taking the route on the map from Kobe to Tokyo and then turning into the simple line and removing the map. 

Figure 2 uses the photographs from Matthias Nutschel's (@mydoormatt) trip to Tokyo in a layered format to bring together some of the themes within the book Norwegian Wood. The back stock image is the moonlit sky which in my opinion is still one of the most impactful elements within the book and then over the top layers to reveal more about the story have been used. I was sent his full collection of images without any intention of using them for this book when he shot them, but I found that there was many that were very relevant to the visual style and themes within the book that I wanted to represent. I chose the tall skyscrapers that seem to be everywhere in Tokyo as a symbol of mental health within the book, representing the contrast to how calm and open the environment is at the sanatarium. I then found a picture that he had too which captures a woman writing a letter on the train, perfect to represent the structure of the book and how the characters openly express their emotions. 

Figure 3 focuses on the moonlit sky influencing the actions and mental states of the characters within the book. The analysis of the moonlight has revealed to me that it is the moonlight that signifies when something important is happening and the characters often address the mental state in which they are in, much more effectively than when the moon is not present. 

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