This project explores illustration design across four book genres (Crime, Horror, Fairytale, and Romance) each created as a bookmark concept that was later adapted for digital wallpaper applications.
The goal was to demonstrate creative range and adaptability, showing how I can use illustration to capture the emotional tone and atmosphere of different storytelling genres while maintaining consistency in composition and visual balance.
These bookmarks were physically distributed at a promotional stand, where they received an overwhelming response: over 100 of each design were taken within an hour, with the Fairytale genre proving the most popular among readers.
Each design was carefully developed to reflect its respective category’s narrative essence, using colour, symbolism, and composition to communicate the unique feel of each genre.
These works were primarily intended for print and digital crossover, designed to function as both collectible bookmarks and visually rich wallpaper artworks.
The Crime illustration combines elements of mystery, investigation, and tension through a symbolic arrangement of objects: a magnifying glass, a knife, and a poison bottle. Set against a dark background, these items float within swirling white motion lines evoking the intensity and curiosity of solving a case. The composition plays with contrast and narrative clues, subtly hinting at danger while maintaining a graphic, stylised look suitable for print. The use of muted teal and yellow tones grounds the illustration in a vintage detective aesthetic, reminiscent of classic noir novels. When applied as a bookmark, the artwork becomes an object of intrigue, inviting readers into a world of clues and suspense.
The Horror category illustration is built around iconic macabre motifs (a skull, spider, and web) to evoke a sense of dread and fascination. A deep, desaturated green backdrop contrasts with the stark white of the skull, while red accents in the spider’s body and the typography inject a feeling of unease. The stylised design balances gothic and playful tones, making it accessible yet distinctly eerie. The exaggerated proportions and clean outlines allow the piece to remain bold and legible in both print and digital formats. As a bookmark, it serves as a visual cue for suspense, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of horror literature without relying on gore.
The Fairytale illustration channels the magic and wonder of fantasy storytelling, depicting a fox leaping through a forest as arrows soar around it. The imagery references classic adventure tales and heroic escapism, using motion and perspective to create a sense of action. The earthy colour palette (warm browns, greens, and soft autumn tones) gives the artwork a storybook quality, while the flowing linework adds to its whimsy and dynamism. At the bottom, small mushrooms and foliage frame the word FANTASY, tying the scene together. This piece reflects a world of courage, danger, and imagination making it an expressive representation of the genre’s emotional depth.
The Romance illustration embraces warmth, connection, and transformation, represented through a pair of hands holding a heart that blossoms into flowers and butterflies. The palette of soft pinks, reds, and sky blues creates an uplifting and gentle tone, while the vertical composition draws the eye upward, symbolising emotional growth and renewal. Every detail from the soft lighting to the rounded edges of the heart, reinforces the theme of tenderness. The piece feels modern yet timeless, combining digital illustration with a tactile, painterly style. When applied as a bookmark or wallpaper, it becomes a small celebration of love and optimism, reflecting the heart of the genre it represents.