Art Direction - School Project
Book Cover Design
Brian Mauricio Sánchez
"We've got a Black Hawk down"
Black Hawk Down: A story of modern war
It is a 1999 book by journalist Mark Bowden. It documents the battle in Mogadishu between United States forces and Aidid's militia. Famous for the 2001 film directed by Ridley Scott staring Josh Harnett and a spectacular cast of star, it became one of the best war movies made. The book original cover design with dark tones counts with no other graphic element than the silouette of the chopper and the name of the book in big red letters, doesn't really tells you wha an amazing story you might find in there. Stating this, for newer editions of the book a new cover had to be designed.
Original Book Cover
Art Direction:
The intention of the cover, besides beign visually attractive, is to tell the story of what you might find inside de book, using a serif typography to give the feel of a war/army written report as the novel deals of. The graphic elements should be related of the book title, using a Black Hawk with smoke coming from it, warning that something’s wrong with it, with a low oppacity blueprint on the back as if the helicopter is flying through it.
The cover and logo of the book is made to be seen from two angles and still be readable. If the book is turned upside down, the helicopter has crashed and the title is readable even. This is ment to play with the main story of the book that happens when the Black Hawk falls down.
The logo was also designed to be read both ways, to give this illusion of not knowing if you are reading it the right way and invite you to rotate the whole book and then realize it is ment to have both ways to be seen. Logo design had to be readable in the right way even with the visual trick.
Alternative Background
Designed by: Brian Mauricio Sánchez García
Class: Art Direction
ITESM Campus Querétaro
