(Penguin Random House)

Stephen King “IT”

In 2022, Stephen King — one of the world´s most famous writers — celebrated his 75th birthday. To honor the master of horror, Heyne from Penguin Random House reissued the book as a magnificent volume in a limited special edition for the German market. We took over the concept and design and repackaged it for a special piece of literary history with illustrator Max Löffler.

Idea and Implementation

IT is a pop culture phenomenon: Everyone knows Pennywise, the most iconic clown antagonist. 

When the Head of Production at Penguin Random House (Mariam En Nazer) approached us, her directive was clear: the design must be extraordinary as a limited special edition (10k) and an homage to King’s 75th birthday.

The design concept combines the slipcase and cover into one piece, making the story immediately tangible. The cover reinterprets the famous scene where Pennywise lures his victim through the manhole cover. The bloodthirsty clown comes out of his “hiding place” from the slipcase, a red linen book block. There is no cover title — its entirety is dedicated to the Pennywise illustration.

Customer

Penguin Random House

Timeline

2022

Industry

Publishing

Service

Creative Direction
Art Direction
Editorial Design

Awards

Communication Arts
Best of Show

iF Design Award
Winner

European Design Award
Gold

ADC
Award

ADCE
Silver

Team

Dominik Langegger
(Creative & Art Direction, Editorial Design)

Sergej Ritter-Höntzsch
(Creative Direction)

Matthias Tildach
(Photography Portfolio)

Max Löffler
(Illustration)

Mariam En Nazer
(Production Manager)

Sec.(01) Sec.(02)
Intro Case
Der Prachtband von Stephen Kings ES.
Roter Leineneinband für Stephen Kings Sonderausgabe von ES
Der Titel ES versteckt sich in den Cutouts vom Schuber
Lettering für eine der Innenseiten.
Coverillustration für Stephen Kings Sonderausgabe von ES von Max Löffler
(Insight)

The first issue of IT appeared in the mid-1980s. With his illustrations, Max Löffler brings nostalgic flair to the concept and excites the fan community. The strong grain in combination with the graphic design language translates typical stylistic features of the 80s to the here and now.

Buchrücken der Sonderausgabe von Stephen Kings ES
Cover und Schuber von Stephen Kings ES nebeneinander
Buchrückseite und Schuberrückseite
(Insight)

The cover and back tell a story: On the front, Pennywise is luring his victim through the manhole cover. On the back of the slipcase, you read the text embossed with black hot foil on black paper, which he calls to his victims through the sewers: “We´re flying down here. We´re all flying. You´ll fly too.” Meanwhile, a balloon glides past them. This appears when you pull the book out of the slipcase.

Veredelung auf der Rückseite des Schubers: schwarze Heißfolienprägung auf schwarzem Papier.
Auf der Rückseite ist der Luftballon als Symbol für Pennywise zu sehen.
Illustration für Kapitel 1 von Stephen Kings Sonderausgabe von ES
Spotillustration für Kapitel 1 von Stephen Kings ES
Illustration von Max Löffler für Stephen Kings ES
Illustration von Max Löffler für Stephen Kings ES
Illustration für Kapitel 2 von Stephen Kings ES
Spotillustration von Max Löffler für Stephen Kings ES
Illustration für ES von Stephen King von Max Löffler
Spotillustration für ES von Stephen King von Max Löffler
Illustration von Max Löffler für ES von Stephen King
Spotillustration von Max Löffler für Stephen King
Illustration für ES von Stephen King
Spotillustration für Kapitel 5 von Stephen King
Stephen King ES Buch und Editorial Design by Solid & Bold
Sec.(02) Sec.(03)
Case More Projects