Capturing Classic Literature with Book Design

Penguin Classics has recently released a new line of jacket-less hardcovers featuring handsome covers.  The designer, Coralie Bickford-Smith, is known for her brilliant and simplistic fusion of plot themes with visually stimulating layouts, including a three set collection of the Arabian Nights and a Gothic Horror Series.  This particular series is unfortunately only being sold in the UK, exclusively through Waterstone’s.

According to Bickford-Smith, the pattern design was organized with collaboration from researchers familiar with the books’ specific themes and historical contexts.  Everything from the aristocratic hierarchy of Great Expectations to the jarring psychology of Crime and Punishment is captured through the elegant covers.  Be sure to check out the interesting interview of the designer regarding her previous work and the Flickr photostream of the individual titles.

[via The Book Design Review Blog]