Penguin Random House

‘The Summer War’ Etching Style Book Cover

The Summer War — Book Cover Illustration

Client: Penguin Random House
Author: Naomi Novik
Cover Design: Irene Ng

I was commissioned by Penguin Random House to create a series of cover illustrations for a Young Adult fantasy trilogy, including The Summer War. The brief was to develop a distinctive visual style across all three titles, with a unified layout and classical, engraved aesthetic. Each cover needed to seamlessly merge two or three key symbolic elements from the book—capturing the core themes, mood, and mythology of the story—within a fixed space and composition.

Working from detailed briefs and story summaries, I sketched each concept by hand, exploring how elements could visually morph or intertwine while remaining balanced and impactful. I then digitally refined the drawings in Photoshop, building up intricate linework and texture to echo the look and feel of traditional etching. Final artwork was prepared in Illustrator to integrate with the publisher’s design template.

The result is a cohesive and timeless series that feels tactile and immersive—appealing especially to a YA audience with a taste for rich, mythic storytelling and collectible-quality design. Each cover stands alone while clearly belonging to the same visual world.

The teaser cover has just been revealed by Goodreads, and I’d love to share it with you:

View the teaser on Instagram