HUMAN
Clarabelle Lemus designed the book cover and illustrations for HUMAN by Alyssa Korologos, a poignant collection of poetry. The design captures the essence of the book’s core message—embracing personal growth and discovering beauty in the healing journey. Drawing from themes of resilience and self-compassion, the visuals were thoughtfully crafted to reflect Alyssa’s storytelling and create an emotional connection with readers.
Book Cover and Illustration Design
Project Brief: HUMAN — A Poetry Collection Rooted in Growth and Connection
Objective:
To transform Alyssa Korologos’s heartfelt poetry into a visually compelling and emotionally resonant book, "HUMAN," designed to make young adults feel seen, understood, and inspired.
Project Vision:
Inspired by Alyssa’s journey of healing, growth, and connection with nature, "HUMAN" will combine her raw emotions and personal reflections with a brand identity that celebrates resilience, introspection, and the beauty of self-compassion. Drawing from the styles of poets like Rupi Kaur and Mary Oliver, the book will weave together themes of raw vulnerability and nature's healing power to create a relatable and transformative experience for readers.
Key Creative Elements:
Imagery: Bees over lavender fields, blooming heads, and vibrant flowers reflecting personal growth and introspection.
Tone: Honest, emotional, and nurturing, fostering deep reader connection.
Design: Minimal yet impactful, mirroring the simplicity and power of Alyssa’s words and nature’s beauty.
Target: Young adults, 18 to mid-twenties.
Ideate:
Clarabelle approached this project as she would curate a collection, starting with in-depth research into the publishing market and drawing inspiration from works like Rupi Kaur's Milk and Honey, known for its raw emotion, and Mary Oliver's nature-driven writings on perseverance and transformation. Collaborating closely with Alyssa Korologos, Clarabelle helped structure the poems into chapters that journey from heartbreak to self-recognition and growth. Their creative process was enriched by meaningful discussions during garden walks and picnics, where Clarabelle asked thoughtful questions to deeply connect with Alyssa and capture the essence of her work for the book cover illustration.
Symbolism:
The HUMAN book cover embodies a journey of growth skillfully interwoven through its illustrations and vibrant color palette. Like a tapestry of emotions, it captures the essence of transformation. Illustrated by the emergence of eucalyptus branches and the fallen lavender blooms cascading from atop the figure's head. This botanical illustration mirrors the human journey of evolution from an adolescent to an adult.
Across history, bees have symbolized wisdom and renewal. The bee graces the lips of the head pot, while another bee is on a quest for pollen. Meanwhile, the fallen lavender bespeaks a gentle dedication to self, an eloquent reminder of the serenity in returning to one's core. Just as every written word inside HUMAN, the book cover also encapsulates the profound odyssey of a human’s experience.
