The Glad Shout

Background The research contributes to the field of communication design practice, specifically book cover design for works of literary fiction, an exploration of the disciplinary intersection between graphic design and narrative. Unaffected by technological change, an historical requirement of the field is to invent unique visual expressions of literature. Whilst graphic diversity characterises the artform, little is known about the generative strategies of its practitioners. Contribution The design contributes knowledge about non-digital computational making (Stiny, 2015) and material literacy (Grigg, 2018, 2020), in post-digital graphic design ideation, and the significance of these in the identification and conveyance of poetic, imaginary book cover design concepts. The ideation of this work pushes the field of contemporary graphic design practice by purposing non-digital material behaviours to elicit significations—in this case of those of tissue paper—and digital tools merely to concept replication. Research 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). Attesting to its value the work submitted here; • was awarded ‘Designers’ Choice Cover of the Year’, and shortlisted for the ‘Best Designed Literary Fiction Cover’, ABDA Awards, 2020 • helped shape the national community of graphic and book cover design practice in support of new Australian writing, as evidenced by recognition from key organisations and public outlets such as; Design Institute of Australia, Australian Book Designers Association. • impacted research into the visibility of internationally recognised women in design conducted by research peers (Jane Connory, 2017, 2018, 2019). • satisfied the independent selection processes of editorial board of locally acclaimed publishing house Affirm Press