Portfolio of Creative Works - Book Cover Design; Giramondo Publishing

Background The research contributes to the field of communication design practice, specifically book cover design for works of poetry, an exploration of the disciplinary intersection between graphic design and creative writing. Unaffected by technological change, an historical requirement of the field is the invention of unique visual interpretations of literature. Whilst graphic diversity characterises the form, little is known about the generative strategies of its practitioners. Contribution The design contributes knowledge about non-digital computational making in post-digital graphic design ideation, (Stiny, 2015, Grigg, 2018, 2020, 2022) and the significance of this in the generation, identification, and translation of poetic concepts into book cover designs. The ideation of this suite of works pushes the field of post-digital graphic design practice by purposing non-digital material behaviours to elicit significations—in this case those exhibited by plastic papers—and digital tools merely for replication. Significance The research findings support the concept that a sustained, critical, non-digital material enquiry is a strategy for invention in contemporary graphic design practice, (Grigg, 2018, 2020, 2022). Attesting to its value the work submitted: • satisfied the independent selection processes of acclaimed publishers Giramondo‘s editorial board and poets • was awarded ‘Best Designed Series’ at the 2022 ABDA Awards • helped progress levels of experimentation in Australian book cover design practice in the context of award winning new Australian writing, evidenced by recognition from key literary awards organisations. Human Looking: 2022 Prime Minister’s Award winner, 2022 Australian Literature Society (ALS) Gold Medal winner, 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards shortlist ‘Revenants’; 2022 Patrick White Award winner. TAKE CARE 2022 Stella Prize shortlisting.