Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases by Sam Fowles
Oneworld Publications
I was commissioned by Oneworld to create a cover illustration for the new paperback edition of Overruled by Sam Fowles. The book dissects the current state of British democracy and the abuses of power committed by the government.
‘British democracy is on trial. We can no longer hold our leaders to account; the state has too much power; and the truth doesn’t matter at all. Those we voted into government have nothing but contempt for the democratic system that got them there.’
Initial Thumbnails
After reading the assignment and the introduction of the book, I began roughly sketching out ideas. I aimed to use visual metaphors to link together the themes of the book.
Ideas Pitched
These are the ideas I put forward for consideration. I tried to cover a variety of themes, layouts and colours.
Final design
With the chosen idea I wanted to evoke democracy 'vanishing', by replacing the head of a barrister with the crowned portcullis emblem; the chains mimicking the curls of a barrister's wig.
