1984

A self-initiated cover of 1984, the classic dystopian novel by George Orwell set in a totalitarian society. The design is based on the term "BLACKWHITE" in the book, which is defined as “a loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this, [and] the ability to BELIEVE that black is white, and more, to KNOW that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary.”

I illustrate this concept with a two-layer cover. The outer layer is half black and half white. “1984” is cut out to show the grey layer underneath. The high contrast in the top layer makes the bottom layer seem like two colors through the cutouts (“19” appears lighter than “84”), but when the outer layer is lifted, it reveals the inside layer to be a single solid color.