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Album Cover Design for the Audiobook "Thunder Dog"

Stephanie Shelton

Project Detail

This is my concept album cover design for the audiobook "Thunder Dog," which is authored by Michael Hingson. The audiobook is a personal memoir of a blind man named Michael and his experience of surviving the September 11, 2001, attacks with his guide dog, Roselle.

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Fundamentally, I decided to develop this design because of my own experiences with disability and my admiration for the author's campaign work.

As demonstrated in my sketches and varied collage composition, I extensively brainstormed ideas for this design. Following feedback from peers, my tutor and family.  Further digital image concepts here display later refinement.

Hand drawn pencil sketches showing four possible ideas for the audiobook cover.
Sketches exploring the story told in the book.

My concept design takes direct inspiration from the story's prominent features, specifically Michael and Roselle's perspectives and experiences. Their silhouettes are placed centrally on the album cover, which is created from abstract rectangular shapes and negative space. Moreover, the cover displays a vague New York skyline, which visually represents the reflective audiobook storytelling.

Four versions of images for the book showing a stylised man and dog. The lower two images explore using stripes to make up the image.

Furthermore, it catches the eye of potential listeners because it features a striking, wasp-like colour palette that demands sudden attention, reflecting the danger the audiobook narrates. Additionally, the title is readable and accessible to screen readers.

The final book cover, the background colour for the top two thirds is yellow with black writing and an image of the man and dog made of black stripes. The author's name is smaller and in blue. The bottom third of the image has a black background with a blue, upside down version of the New York skyline also created using stripes.

I am a UX designer and multidisciplinary design practitioner, stemming from my engagement and experiences studying T190. Looking ahead, I will adopt an ethical, user-centred design approach in my interior design studies.

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