Project Overview:

For 'Retired' is a story-driven children’s book cover centered on the contrast between rest and curiosity, experience and ambition, exhaustion and wonder.

The narrative follows two adult lions, Zumba and Crang, who are tired of the wildlife they once dominated. They’ve chosen retirement. But their young cub isn’t ready to slow down. Where they see risk, he sees opportunity. Where they see danger, he sees discovery.

Creative Direction:

The goal was to communicate this tension visually without needing explanation.

• The adult lions were designed with weary expressions and a grounded posture to reflect emotional fatigue.

• The cub was positioned confidently in the foreground to symbolize fresh energy and fearless curiosity.

• The jungle environment was crafted with cinematic lighting and atmospheric depth to suggest mystery and untold adventures.

Typography was bold, textured, and slightly rugged to complement the adventurous tone while remaining readable in thumbnail size.

Design Focus:

• Storytelling through character emotion

• Cinematic lighting and environmental depth

• Child-friendly but visually mature color grading

• Strong composition for both print and digital storefront visibility

  
  

  This project reflects my approach to book cover design: not just creating something visually appealing, but crafting a cover that speaks before a single word is read.