This project was created for an author developing a horror anthology for their partner, featuring multiple short stories unified by one chilling theme. The client envisioned a circular wreath illustration that symbolically integrates the four seasons, with each segment containing visual cues tied to different stories in the book. The illustration needed to be atmospheric, symbolic, and detailed — something that feels handcrafted, eerie, and rich with narrative layers.
The final artwork was designed as a 5–6 inch diameter wreath, built entirely from twisted tree branches that transition seamlessly between winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each quadrant includes a story-specific object: a dagger, an upside-down cross, a fork, and gravestones — subtle enough to remain artistic, yet intriguing enough to spark curiosity.
Brand Discovery:
Explored the author’s storytelling themes — seasonal horror, symbolism, folklore undertones, and emotional tension between beauty and dread. Reviewed the client’s rough sketch to understand the placement of objects, the intended mood, and the narrative purpose behind each season and prop.
Layout & Typography:
Designed a circular branch wreath with a clean internal silhouette that could later frame the book title or central cover artwork. Ensured consistent spacing and visual balance across all four seasonal segments. Although typography was not part of the illustration, the composition was built intentionally to support future text placement.
Visual Strategy:
Created a natural yet unsettling transition between seasons:
• Winter: Bare, frozen branches with snow buildup and an embedded dagger.
• Spring: Fresh blossoms, vines, and an upside-down wooden cross woven into the branches.
• Summer: Full green leaves with a story-specific fork subtly integrated.
• Fall: Scattered autumn leaves surrounding a set of small gravestones at the base.
Used painterly textures and natural color palettes to give the wreath a handcrafted, storybook-meets-horror aesthetic.
Production:
Delivered a detailed, high-resolution digital illustration suitable for book covers, interior pages, posters, and print-on-demand use. Designed the artwork with clean edges and transparent background to allow flexible placement across the final book design. Provided both PNG and scalable formats for editorial and marketing applications.