Commissioned |
ProfessionalWhy did you make this work:
I was approached by Penguin Random House to design the cover for David Yoon’s debut novel Frankly in Love, a young adult fiction covering themes of race, romance and cultural identity. The brief asked me to reflect these themes through the use of typography in my signature bold and graphic style whilst remaining conscious of the more subversive themes of the novel.
How was the illustration used: The design was used for the cover of the book, which was printed with a spot varnish and embossing on the type to emphasise the layered style of the artwork. The final cover is bright and eye-catching with hidden depths, reflecting the vibrancy and originality of Frank’s story as well as the youthful world that David Yoon has created.
How did you make this work: I developed a bespoke typographic design, in a bold energetic style cutting across the cover. This was cut out multiple times using layers of complimentary coloured paper, referencing the layers of complexity built around the main character Frank’s relationships and cultural identity. Pieces of board were then used to add depth and I shot the final artwork in my studio using natural lighting.
Commissioner Name :
Theresa Evangelista
Commissioner Company :
Penguin Random House
Social Media:twitter.com/ogildersleeve
facebook.com/owengildersleeve/instagram.com/owengildersleevebehance.net/owengildersleeve
Personal Website:
owengildersleeve.com/Agent Website:
https://levineleavitt.com/
Currently Based:
United Kingdom
Biography:
Owen Gildersleeve is an artist based in London specialising in handcrafted illustration, set design and art direction. His unique style honed over the past 10 years, brings graphic designs to life through carefully cut layers and a playful use of light and shadow. Working with an array of international clients, his practice ranges from intricate paper illustrations and animations, shot in his East London studio, to large-scale sets, window displays and installations.