BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION
Manila takes Manhattan
Written by Carla de Guzman
✎ Story Overview
A romance about a Filipino musician & an actress who enjoys a one-night stand only to discover that they’re working together on the same movie for the next month.
✎ Publisher
Afterglow Books by Harlequin, 2024
Available for purchase in bookstores worldwide and online such as Amazon.com
BRIEF
Client wanted a fun, romantic illustration of a couple set in present day New York City, Manhattan combined with a subtle Filipino culture. The final cover features overgrown foliage native to the Philippines as if the Filipino culture was growing and taking over the city. Art direction by Tara Scarcello
CHARACTER DESIGN
OLIVIA ANGELES – A female actress in her early 30s with morena (dark tanned) skin tone and a long, black, slightly wavy hair. She dresses a bit more formal exuding a glamorous movie star aura.
MON MENDOZA – A male musician in his early 30s with brown skin tone and black hair wearing a more casual attire
I designed a casual hand written script that gives that personal touch seemingly written by Olivia while also complimenting the crawling plants in the city.
EARLY COVER DESIGNS
Olivia and Mon is in 42nd Street with the view of Chrysler Building while surrounded by overgrown foliage native to the Philippines. Type style is a hand written script that gives that personal touch that could be written by Olivia while also complimenting the crawling plants in the city.
Olivia and Mon is riding a Jeepney surrounded by iconic buildings of New York. I wanted to illustrate the Jeepney as it is the most popular public transport in the Philippines and one of the most well known representation of Filipino culture. Instead of a movie set, I included a cinema as one of the buildings. For continuity, type style is inspired by traditional hand painted signages used in jeepneys, another distinct part of Filipino culture.
Olivia and Mon are dancing at a rooftop with the view of the neighborhood and Brooklyn bridge. I added a graffiti of the sun and stars of the Philippine flag and used it’s colors for the building for a subtle Filipino touch. Type style is simple but a bit gritty to represent Manila and add balance to the concrete city.