Masque of the Red Death Book Cover

Problem
For this project, I was tasked with selecting one of my favorite books and designing a cover inspired by a significant or metaphorical event within the story. I chose The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe. The challenge was to translate Poe’s dark, gothic tone and layered symbolism into a visual design. I needed to create a cover that not only represented the atmosphere of the story but also captured its deeper themes of mortality and inevitability.

Applications:
Adobe Illustrator

A book cover titled "Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe. The cover features a clock with Roman numerals and black, orange, and cream colors. There is a photograph of Edgar Allan Poe, a brief biography, and quotes from Ruby Granger, Jess, and Erin. The design includes a decorative element with blood drips and a barcode at the bottom.
A bookstore magazine titled "Masque of the Red Death" featuring a clock with Roman numerals on the cover is lying on a plain surface.

Solution
I focused on the story’s recurring symbol of the grandfather clock, which signifies the constant, inescapable presence of death looming over the characters. This metaphor became the centerpiece of my design. To reinforce the mood, I selected typography that echoed the gothic aura of the narrative and paired it with dark, muted tones that reflect both the genre and emotional weight.

A book titled 'Masque of the Red Death' by Edgar Allan Poe with a clock face on its cover, placed on a flat brown surface.
Open book titled 'Masque of the Red Death' by Edgar Allen Poe, featuring a clock on the cover with the hands pointing to midnight, set on a brown surface.