Softcover book mockup presenting the final Fox in the City cover design through a bookstore advertisement concept. The composition highlights the relationship between Vivica's forest origins and her transition into Seattle city life.
SOFTWARE
Adobe Photoshop
MY ROLE
Independent Editorial Designer
Book Cover Designer
DELIVERABLES
Concept Development
Title Development
Cover Design
Spine & Back Cover Design
TOOLS & CREDITS
Envato Elements (licensed subscription assets & mockups)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Fox in the City is a conceptual book cover design project created for fictional author Charlie Leefang. The story follows Vivica, a clever and resourceful fox who leaves her forest home behind to begin a new life in Seattle. The goal was to create a cover that introduces Vivica’s personality while capturing the contrast between natural surroundings and urban exploration.
Through imagery, typography, and composition, the project explores how editorial design can establish a story’s setting, tone, and character before the reader opens the book.
Full book cover mockup.
Visual direction and inspiration.
CREATIVE DIRECTION
The visual direction combines organic textures with modern city elements to represent Vivica’s transition from forest to urban surroundings. Layered photography, soft color tones, and a balance of natural and metropolitan imagery create a cover system that feels curious, playful, and sophisticated across the front cover, spine, and back cover.
PROCESS
The concept for Fox in the City began with the assignment requirement to combine multiple photographs through overlay techniques. Inspired by one of my own dogs whose large ears and facial features resembled a fox, I explored the symbolism of foxes in adult fiction. Rather than creating a literal animal story, I developed Vivica as a clever and confident fox who leaves the forest behind to navigate life in Seattle. The tagline, “What will the hens do when Vivica moves in?” helped establish her personality and the playful conflict of the story.
After developing the character concept, I selected a profile image of a fox to preserve important facial details while allowing the overlay elements to remain visible. A Seattle cityscape represents Vivica’s new environment, while the forest imagery reflects her origins. Using Photoshop, I combined the images through layering and masking to create a seamless transition between natural and urban settings. A soft pink gradient background added depth while reinforcing the book’s feminine, modern aesthetic.
Cover concept sketches.
GALLERY
Full book cover mockup.
Every story deserves a cover that sparks curiosity.
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