Fahrenheit 451
These book cover & bookmark designs were created as a contribution to W. H. Hannon Library’s Banned Books Week.
The themes of censorship within the book reminded me of the Cold War’s themes of espionage and secrecy, so my art direction took reference from redacted government documents, black and white photography, and the “grittiness” of an intelligence war. My cover depicts the key moment in the novel when Guy Montag decides to pocket a book, directly disobeying the laws of his society. His hands are covered in documents that have been redacted and censored so that Guy takes on the personification of censorship, working as a new “fireman”. I attempted to personify that censorship and show the pivotal moment in the book where Guy first embodies his internal contradictions. The splash of red illuminating the book is meant to emphasize the importance of this seemingly innocuous action.