Yelling At Satellites
Service
Book Cover Illustration
Walking Magnolia comissioned me to create a cover for Yelling At Satellites, a YA novel set between an American summer camp and the Italian Dolomites. The book follows Ethan during a pivotal moment in adolescence, exploring identity, belonging, and the safety found through family and friendship.
When the client reached out with this brief and told me it was a story set between an American summer camp and the Italian Dolomites, I felt like I’d manifested the perfect project through years of sketching and painting the outdoors during my own hiking days.
Early ideation began by ‘brain dumping’ lots of small sketches in an analogue sketchbook, exploring symbolic ways to represent connection and support. Two concepts were developed further. One depicting a family linked by constellations and the other showing a family climbing together, bound by rope. The constellation concept was chosen, using star formations to subtly reference key elements from the story while visually reinforcing the theme of connection. The landscape is inspired by the pivotal mountain scene, viewed from the valley to allow foliage in the foreground and create depth.
The final artwork is playful and atmospheric, blending symbolic storytelling with a strong sense of place.
Concept Development
Creating the final artwork took several playful afternoons, 8967 brush strokes of the apple pencil, and an awful lot of coffee (not that I’d ever complain of too much coffee).
The colour palette was inspired by alpenglow, the warm, luminous light seen at sunset in high mountain environments. This informed the balance between soft warmth and an inky night sky.
Hand-drawn lettering was selected to match the imperfect, personal tone of the story. The title lettering feel expressive and textured, while the authors name provides contrast and flows naturally with the illustrated foreground.
