The Great Gatsby
This edition pays homage to the 100th anniversary of the novel’s publication, a classic of universal literature. The publisher’s request for the graphic design was to create a distinctive look for the book market, which already has several versions of the title.
The Great Gatsby tells the story of an impossible love during the Roaring Twenties, set in an imaginary New York City, where society frenziedly enjoys jazz, alcohol, and parties, following the development of capitalism and the novelties of the early 20th century. This dazzlement, however, does not disguise the contradictions of society and the human condition. The opposing notions of excitement/loneliness and frenzy/mystery inspired the book design.
The cover’s abstract image is inspired by the green light emitted by a lighthouse, which, in the novel, symbolizes the impossible love between Gatsby and Daisy. Its light/dark contrast design transitions between festive and melancholic, and was an unexpected graphic approach for this book. Green is also used in the book’s fore-edge painting, which has rounded edges as well, lending a touch of lightness and unpretentiousness. The interior pages are characterized by silhouettes reminiscent of the characters and festive environments. A pattern with rotated letters from the geometric Futura typography spells out the protagonist’s name, making a subtle allusion to the art deco style often associated with the work and also a reference to the character’s ambiguity.
José Olympio, 2025
