This project presents a pair of book covers designed for a Masters of Graphic Design series, each highlighting a prominent designer whose work spans both static and motion design. The series features Emonee LaRussa, representing contemporary digital creativity, and Saul Bass, a historic pioneer of iconic graphic and title-sequence design. Each cover interprets the visual language, stylistic vocabulary, and creative philosophy of its featured designer, resulting in a cohesive yet intentionally contrasted set that reflects the breadth and evolution of the graphic design field.
Programs Used:
Adobe InDesign | Adobe Illustrator | Adobe Photoshop
Masters of Graphic Design
Book Cover Designs
Principles of Graphic Design, George Mason University
The first round of concepts explored visual approaches inspired directly by each designer’s work. Saul Bass’s cover was developed in the style of one of his iconic title sequences, using bold silhouettes and simplified forms to reflect his cinematic influence. Emonee LaRussa’s initial drafts leaned into her abstract, pop-art style, featuring a mouse cursor and bounding box layered over her portrait to reference the digital tools central to her process.
Initial Drafts
The second round pushed each concept further. Saul Bass’s design evolved into a more dynamic composition, with the primary graphic repeated across a film strip to emphasize the era and medium that defined his career. Emonee’s cover introduced more saturated color, movement, and layered imagery, building a visually expressive layout that better captured the energy and versatility of her work.
Revised Drafts
The final designs refined both direction and execution. Saul Bass’s cover replaces the repeated graphic with a curated selection of his most iconic works displayed within the film strip, paired with a new illustrated portrait in his visual style for a stronger, more unified composition. Emonee LaRussa’s cover maintains its dynamic layout while enhancing color vibrancy, contrast, and saturation to better reflect the bold, playful character of her artwork.
Final Covers
Topographic Design Motif
To complete the project, the covers were placed into realistic mockups and finished with custom spine designs that tie the series together visually. This final step presents the covers as a cohesive collection while allowing each designer’s identity to remain distinct.
