University Press Cover Round-Up
We welcome you to another in our ongoing feature in which notable book cover designer Jordan Wannemacher periodically highlights a selection of recent university press cover designs. Please enjoy this celebration of amazing work.
This list is in no particular order. Credits are listed below.
If you are a book cover creative and want your work or the work of your department reviewed by Jordan be sure to get in touch with us!
As with any cover design we feature in our publications, we encourage you to head to your local library and/or bookstore to view the work in its full splendor when possible.
The University Press Round-up is back after a Holiday/New year hiatus! Thank you all for your submissions and great work this month. I love the current BIPOC scholarship coming from UP's, especially in February which was Black History Month. My favorite part about the UP design community is not just the thoughtful designs, but the important work these books do to educate us on important topics. It's a community I'm so proud to be a part of! Now without further ado...
Stanford University Press
Cover Design and Art Direction: Rob Ehle
I love the restrained elegance of this cover utilizing such a clever simplified illustration. The American flag can feel overused on books but this is such a fresh take.
Columbia University Press
Cover Illustration: Jessica W. Schwartz
Design and Art Direction: Julia Kushnirsky
I really enjoy the fun saturated colors used on this, it somehow feels both nostalgic and fresh. The simple textured illustration lines add just that little extra something.
Rutgers University Press
Cover design: Mary Belibasakis
Art direction: Daryl Brower
Artwork: Atabey de las Aguas by Nieves W. Pumarejo Blanco.
This is such a stunning illustration paired with an interesting typographic arrangement that I sincerely wish I could get away with more often! According to the creative team, Atabey is a Taíno female deity which makes this the perfect selection for this title.
University of Virginia press
Art Director: Cecilia Sorochin
Design & Lettering: Derek Thornton
I have seen countless "protest sign covers" over the years but Derek really took this one a step further and made it his own with that incredible hand lettering. It really feels like something we would have seen out protesting last Summer with it's sincerity and originality. This looks like a very important book for our time.
University of Pittsburgh Press
Design: Melissa Dias-Mandoly
Other than Hank Hill, I'm not sure what else comes to mind when I think of natural gas and wouldn't have had any idea of how to illustrate something like this in an interesting and unique way. Melissa really took this lovely illustration and incorporated great color and typography to make something totally dynamic that I haven't quite seen illustrated before. A difficult task!
Duke University Press
Design and Art Direction: Amy Ruth Buchanan
Cover art: Edouard Duval-Carrié
Wow, this illustration is STUNNING and so memorable. I love how quiet the typography is and how it lets the incredible texture and color of this art really speak. It's perfectly incorporated in a way that's both legible and reserved. A beautiful balance.
University of Texas Press
Design: Michel Vrana
Art Director: Derek George
The subdued duotone of this paired with the strong textures and bold typography makes for a really stark effect. I love seeing period typography done well like this, avoiding cliche or cartoonishness. The image is absolutely haunting and shows you the severity of the subject matter in a blunt way.
Princeton University Press
Design: Faceout Studio/Spencer Fuller
Art Director: Jess Massabrook
I absolutely LOVE this title typeface. It's so unique and the sharp terminals really mirror the sharpness of the Milad tower in the background that is perfectly incorporated into the text. The subtle border at the top grounds it in its geography while inspiring a nice color palette throughout.
Jordan Wannemacher is a book designer based in the NYC area. She was born and art school educated in the Southeast at the Savannah College of Art and Design where she focused on graphic design and creative writing. Currently, she is running Studio Jordan Wannemacher, a boutique book design studio based out of her home in Montclair, New Jersey.