ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER/HAND LETTERER
Author: Alexandra Latos
Illustrator: Chan Chau
Editor: Harriet Low
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Books For Young Readers
Publishing Date: 9/29/2020
Jacket Specs: Matte Lamination
I don’t usually have time to slowly read a manuscript prior to jumping into the design process- I normally have to power through or skim at first, then go back to read more later. Under Shifting Stars was the novel that I could NOT put down for the Fall 2020 season. I carried my ipad around with me everywhere, making my way through the first draft of the manuscript’s PDF. My emotions were all over the place as I saw myself reflected in both characters- Clare and Audrey. Clare’s journey leads her to realize the importance of her relationship with her sister, and to embrace her gender fluidity which she begins to explore. Her search (both online and with friends) reminded me so much of my own that it made my heart ache. Audrey’s eagerness to be close to her sister, her newfound love for LARPing and storytelling, her anxiety- this also felt so real to me. So, I knew this cover was going to be an important and special experience.
I began sketching ideas, and brought my concepts and artist pitches for review; my ideas were approved with the caveat that we’d like to have the artist try some other ideas too. One of the initial ideas that I had sketched was of the sisters, back to back, standing in still water with the stars overhead, reflected below them too. A flood is a major plot point in the book, as are the character’s star signs- the twins were born on different days, so they have different signs from each other: Taurus and Gemini. It was important to show that these characters had a difficult but close relationship, while avoiding the appearance of romance. I also wanted to make sure that Clare was not misgendered and that the presentation of that character was ambiguous and not too strongly leaning towards either side of the gender binary. Lastly, I wanted to work with an artist who I hoped would understand the story on the same level I did, as a queer designer and illustrator. Chan Chau delivered STUNNING sketches, and was flexible and adaptive through the whole process, giving so many beautiful iterations it was hard to choose! It was through sheer luck, I think, that my original concept was the one that Chan translated the best and made wholly original and unique. And that was the cover we landed on. I created hand-lettered type that worked within Chan’s layout with the constellations integrated around it. I also loved how Chan’s beautiful teal blue and gold color palette gave the scene a dream-like quality that also really packs a lot of punch. The way the twins are separated but joined in their reflection, and their gold tones stand out from the dark night is so beautiful.
It is also worth mentioning that I was in the earlier sketch stages, I began thinking of an iconic moment in an anime movie where the main character is also gender-fluid and the imagery in that specific scene combined water, reflections, and stars so beautifully. ( Here is my blanket endorsement for and recommendation that you watch Revolutionary Girl Utena, and the movie, Adolescence Apocalypse. It’s abstract, surreal, and emotional.) When a book hits me this hard, I go all in, so I carried my hand-lettering and star motifs through the interior. I couldn’t help myself! Alexandra Latos created such beautiful characters, such a rich story, and I felt like the interior needed to be unique to reflect that.
This book is my Fall 2020 pride and joy.
Interior spread
Hand Lettering
Interior Illustrations
