THE CHALLENGE
A publishing client needed a reprint of The Flowers of Evil that could reach contemporary readers without diluting Baudelaire’s essence: dark, provocative, timeless. The existing editions skewed either too academic (dense, unapproachable) or too literal (gothic clichés). The goal was to create a cover that felt relevant to today’s poetry readers while honoring the work’s 19th-century legacy and making it stand out in both indie bookstores and algorithm-driven online retail.
THE SOLUTION
We developed two covers, two distinct entry points into Baudelaire.
The first leaned into vintage collage: rich, layered composition inspired by Félicien Rops’ 1883 work Modernity, nodding to the decadent era that birthed the poems. Baroque peonies layered over anatomical drawings, condensed typography, deep navy backdrop. Lush, provocative, unapologetically dark – designed for readers who want their poetry to feel like an artifact.
The second took a Bauhaus-inspired approach: minimalist, modern, intimate. Hand-lettered script title paired with four simple flower shapes spelling out “EVIL” in pink, yellow, blue, and purple. The final cover features a spot gloss treatment mimicking a liquid spill down the cover, adding tactile depth and visual intrigue. Personal, poetic, accessible – designed for readers who’d never touch a “classic” but would absolutely read contemporary verse.
The client chose the minimalist design. Why? It repositioned The Flowers of Evil as living poetry, not a museum piece. The hand-lettered typography gave it the intimacy of a journal. The playful-yet-dark “EVIL” flower treatment captured Baudelaire’s provocateur spirit without gothic clichés. The spot gloss spill added a premium, collectible quality that justifies shelf space in boutique bookstores while still photographing well for online retail.
MY ROLE
As Creative Director and Designer, I led the visual strategy and execution:
✔ Developed two distinct design approaches balancing historical context with modern accessibility
✔ Created fully custom typography for chosen design: hand-lettered title script and bespoke byline treatment
✔ Designed spot gloss application mimicking liquid spill for tactile, collectible quality
✔ Art directed historical research and visual references for both baroque and minimalist concepts
✔ Positioned each design to speak to different reader segments while maintaining brand integrity
THE IMPACT
Strategic Positioning:
The minimalist cover repositioned The Flowers of Evil as contemporary poetry, not academic assignment. By stripping away gothic tropes and historical baggage, the design created a fresh entry point for readers who engage with modern verse but might dismiss 19th-century classics.
Retail Performance:
The design works across channels – hand-lettered intimacy appeals to indie bookstore buyers, bold contrast and simple composition photograph well for online thumbnails, spot gloss treatment adds premium feel justifying higher price point in physical retail.
Design Recognition:
The cover balances accessibility with artistic integrity. It doesn’t pander or oversimplify – the EVIL flower treatment is playful but still provocative, the black background still suggests darkness without relying on skulls or ravens. It proves classic literature can look contemporary without losing its edge.
