“The Eye of Minds” Redesign Concept
The world is virtual; the danger is real.
ABOUT:
“The Eye of Minds” Is a young adult science fiction novel written by Author James Dashner, most known for his popular “Maze Runner” series. The novel follows a group of young hackers trying to take down a cyber-criminal, set in a world where humanity has developed super-immersive VR technology that adapts to all of the human senses, fully transporting the user to a lifelike world by stepping into metal “coffin-like” machines called NerveBoxes.
OBJECTIVE:
When I was tasked with developing a conceptual redesign of a book cover, “The Eye of Minds” was the first book that came to mind, no pun intended. It’s difficult to understand what this book is about by the cover alone. The main visual element is a graphic of a foggy city shattering and folding in on itself. The hard glow present on the book’s title obscures the city even further, leaving the main visual element drifting into ambiguity. My goal of this redesign concept is to better communicate the genre by honoring what makes “The Eye of Minds” stand out from other media.
PROCESS: Pixel Art
After initial stages of sketches and research, I began work on developing a pixel-art illustration of the novel’s “VR-coffins” that would act as the centerpiece of the cover. This was chosen to spotlight a unique element from the world that the novel takes place in. By using bold and mysterious imagery such as this, one can create questions and intrigue for the reader, turning that “pull-factor” up a notch.
PROCESS: Cover Design
The book cover design process began in Adobe Illustrator. To convey the novel’s virtual setting, inspiration was taken from familiar symbolism and iconography of computer windows and file icons. Colors were also referenced from the palettes of older pixelated operating systems. Lastly, a subtle Moiré pattern envelops the entire background, emulating the optical illusion that appears when LCD computer monitors are photographed.
OUTCOME:
This conceptual book cover redesign would draw in new readers with thought provoking visuals that help to better communicate the genre, while making use of the novel’s unique identity to highlight what truly sets it apart.
