Fontanka Series Design
MA Book Design, The University of Reading
124mm x 190mm (4.9in x 7.5in)
The Fontanka project involved designing a system for a publisher who wanted a flexible yet consistent system for covers and interiors that also functioned as an instantly recognizable identity.
The text on the front covers of the books is taken directly from the first page of the book. It can be a word, a line, a paragraph, or anything the cover designer sees fit to bring from that page. The placement of the chosen text on the opening page determines its placement on the cover. The author's name follows the text as it would in a quote. The placement of the author's name on the title page is taken from its placement on the cover (which of course is determined by the placement of the chosen text).
Light colored books with black text are non-fiction, while dark colored books with white text are fiction.The earthy color pallette was chosen as a reference to the publisher's name "Fontanka" which is also the name of a river.
With this system, content determines design; all that is left is to choose a color for the cover.