In the realm of book cover designs, those of Haruki Murakami novels are iconic and instantly recognizable. Chip Kidd's design for the US hardcover edition of 1Q84 left a lasting impression on me prior to ever reading Murakami. Its translucent velum slipcover was unlike anything I had seen before. I was awestruck by how such a simple approach could simultaneously be complex in its innovation.
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| John Gall's 2015 redesign [source] |
John Gall, creative director at Alfred A. Knopf, produced two distinct eras of cover art for the US edition paperbacks published by Vintage Books in 1997 and 2015. Prior to researching their history I never would have guessed both were by the same designer. Each has an unmistakable visual language of its own, ultimately foregrounded by a nuanced understanding of Murakami's metaphysical realm(s), but are quite disparate when viewed side-by-side. The 1997 photo collages evoke extreme nostalgia, whereas the 2015 renditions feel too flashy and clean-cut (perhaps it's the perceptible shift from matte to gloss cover stock). But Gall had a few tricks up his sleeve. Upon further research I learned that the individual covers tile together to form a labyrinth-like assemblage that maps Murakami's various worlds.
As a graphic designer pursuing work in the publishing industry, I'm invested in the relationship between cover and content as more than just a container. John Gall's work illustrates that a good book designer is first and foremost an attentive reader.
Bella
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