Book cover design: "Hiëna"

Client: Tafelberg Publishers

This is the story of a boy who experiences a trip into an absurd world where the laws of nature are turned inside out. Lots of animals. Talking.

The Afrikaans title means "Greetings from the Hyena". The market we aimed at were teenagers, the publishers Tafelberg Publishers and the author Leon de Villiers. And yes, those are colour pencil markings you see — the author wanted a book cover illustration involving pencil sketches. Konrad cán draw, you know...

To see the full front and back covers, click here. The back cover was so striking we considered using it as the front cover.

We believe in simplicity. Understandably writers often want every element in the book to appear on the front page, but that may not be the best way to attract attention on a busy book shelf. As it is, this book's front cover had dynamic, colourful elements which did the job. The back reinforces the feeling of absurdity, of what you may expect when you open this book.

Next page: Book cover illustration: "Buys" >

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© Konrad Rode & Rode Graphics CC
(Mowbray & Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa)