top of page
norwegianwood.png

Norwegian Wood

(Penguin Student Design Award)

Every year, esteemed publisher Penguin assigns three of their classic books for students to reimagine their covers.

​

I chose the book in the Adult Fiction category, Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

​

The cover is inspired by the themes of escapism present within the novel - Toru Wantanabe, the protagonist, frequently escapes problems in his life by visiting his friend and eventual lover by train. As such, the design is a visual referene to the Edmonson ticket designs which would have been used on Japanese trains in the 1960s. The repetition of the character's escapism is evidenced in the apparent tatty condition of the book, as if the user has used so many train tickets that they are now careless with them; folding, creasing, and generally treating them without regard.

bottom of page