For more examples, click on the buttons below:

Book cover design: "In The Rapids"

Client: Kwela Books

The Kwela Books brief was: Design a book cover for the sequel to the original compilation of new indigenous South African stories by youngsters.

The title "In the Rapids — new South African stories" was also available in Afrikaans as "Stroomversnelling – nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse stories". The previous book in the series had a traditional linocut on the cover with a red, white and black colour scheme in the design. We tried to steer clear of that style (often used by workers' unions), since many marketing professionals will tell you that breaking into the young black market (African market) of South Africa certainly does not include the condescending Afro-centric images used so commonly by 'white' marketers since South Africa became a democratic state.

As it is, this book was aimed at all races and cultures and luckily we had free reign with the design, but also a very limited budget, i.e. we could not afford to spend time on intricately detailed illustrations. We used an abstract image for the background (actually, it's a close-up of running water, given a 'movement blur' for effect).

The yellow and black pattern on the sides are reminiscent of warning signs used during roadwork, indicating change and the inherent 'rapids' in the cultural, political, economic and social river of change in South Africa which is so often referred to in these stories. These patterns are also common in 90's club culture and hint at the African tradition of using patterns on pottery, walls and fabric.

The 'grungy' style of the typeface used for the title is popular in Western teenage pop culture.

The book was compiled by Linda Rode (by pure coincidence, she's Konrad's mother) and Jakes Gerwel (ex-rector of UWC and advisor to ex-president Nelson Mandela). Konrad worked with editor Erika Oosthuyzen of Kwela.

Next page: Book cover illustration: "Hiëna" >

For a free quotation, view our rate card,
then e-mail us at