Commissioned | Professional

Why did you make this work:
To celebrate 40 years of Virago changing the literary landscape by championing women’s voices, I was commissioned to design 13 full cover pattern designs to feature on deluxe paperbacks.The brief was to create vibrant repeat patterns for the covers that could frame a strict diamond-shaped grid.

How was the illustration used:
The designs were used for merchandising, point of sale and web

How did you make this work:
I used this opportunity to be playful with the format, experiment with different pattern compositions and indulge in fashion, art, film and vintage pattern references from the era of the books – from studying baroque cutlery and jewellery detail for Nora Ephron’s Heartburn or a nod to art nouveau to illustrate decaying Victoriana in 1960s London for the cover of The Magic Toyshop.

Commissioner Name :
Hannah Wood
Commissioner Company :
Little Brown Book Group
Commissioned for:
Virago by Art Director Hannah Wood (Little Brown Book Group)

Social Media:
twitter.com/YehrinTong
instagram.com/yehrin_tong

Personal Website:
yehrintong.com/
Agent Website:
https://www.snydernewyork.com/


Biography:
I am a London based illustrator, born in the UK and of Korean descent. I studied graphic design at Central Saint Martins in London, where I received my BA Honors in 2002. My work is a detailed and hypnotic exploration into mathematical, abstract patterns and typographic illusions which have encompassed ad campaigns, editorial illustrations as well as graphics for fashion prints and embroideries.