BOOK COVER

CLIENT: ABRAMIS ACADEMIC PUBLISHING

In the developed world, newspapers are closing daily; print journalists are under the constant threat of redundancy. Can journalism survive this digital tsunami? Abramis commissioned me to illustrate the cover of their forthcoming book on the subject, ‘Last Words? - How can Journalism Survive the Decline of Print?’. My concept was based around the device commonly used at the end of stories and movies to suggest that the main protagonists will most likely never be seen again – riding or sailing away into the sunset, into an uncertain future. I created a paper boat made from newsprint incorporating relevant copy, the paper boat bobbing about on choppy waters, all at sea and heading towards a blazing red sky as storm clouds gather on the horizon. The ambiguous sky (Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.) adds to the feeling of uncertainty.