THE CHALLENGE
A publishing client wanted a reprint of The Flowers of Evil that spoke to today’s audience without losing the essence of Baudelaire’s poetry: dark, provocative, and timeless. The goal was to create something that felt relevant now while honoring the work’s legacy.
THE SOLUTION
We developed two covers, two ways to experience Baudelaire.
The first leaned into vintage collage: rich, layered design inspired by Félicien Rops’ 1883 work Modernity, nodding to the era’s decadence and the poet’s themes. Baroque, lush, and unapologetically dark.
The second took a Bauhaus-inspired approach: minimalist, modern, clean. Hand-lettered typography and simple flower shapes spelling out “EVIL” gave it a personal, poetic edge. The final cover features a spot gloss treatment that mimics a spill, adding depth and intrigue.
MY PART
As Creative Director and Designer, here’s what I did:
✔ Led creative direction and design for both covers, making sure each felt true to Baudelaire’s essence while speaking to a contemporary audience
✔ Created fully custom typography for the chosen design, including hand-lettered title and bespoke byline to give The Flowers of Evil a raw, personal edge
✔ Developed two distinct visual approaches that balanced historical context with modern design sensibility
WHERE IT’S HEADED
The final cover (the minimalist design) is set to give The Flowers of Evil a fresh entry point for new readers while still resonating with longtime Baudelaire fans. The spot gloss detail adds a tactile, collectible quality that makes it stand out on shelves. The goal: position this edition as both accessible and artful, drawing in people who might not typically pick up 19th-century French poetry while honoring what makes the work endure.
