The Challenge

The brief was to create a distinctive cover for a surreal dystopian horror novel exploring a world without sleep, while capturing the psychological tension, isolation and dark romance at the heart of the story.

The Solution

Drawing on the novel’s themes of sleeplessness, madness and a world in collapse, I used the raven as a central visual motif, paired with a fragmented landscape to suggest both the breakdown of reality and the story’s dreamlike quality. A restrained, atmospheric palette and bold typography create a stark contrast, giving the cover a sense of unease while keeping the design contemporary and accessible.

The Result

The finished cover creates an immediate sense of mystery, isolation and psychological unease, while reflecting the surreal quality of the story. The raven and fragmented imagery give Awakened a strong visual identity, distinguishing it from more conventional dystopian and horror covers while communicating the novel’s darker, unsettling tone.