Artist to Watch: Christopher Brian King

Christopher Brian King is a graphic designer and illustrator based in New York who specializes in creating cover art for books. As he describes it, “I help people tell their stories using words and pictures,” essentially encapsulating the book in a single image. We asked Christopher about his process and inspirations.

stated: How would you describe your work and creative process?

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN KING: I like to say that I help people tell their stories using words and pictures. To that end, when I start a new project I immerse myself in the story—usually this means reading a manuscript—and think about how to explain it with an image that anyone can get immediately. Sometimes this process takes several weeks and many failed attempts; other times I get it on the first try. But I find that the most important thing is to have a clear and original idea. Working from a strong idea, the visual execution tends to be pretty straightforward.

stated: How did you get started with your unique style of book cover illustration?

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN KING: As I’m sure is the case with many artists and designers, the style in which I work isn’t something I set out consciously to develop but rather a product of all the interests I have and things I experience, which mix together in my brain like some sort of food metaphor—let’s say vegetarian chili. I use all kinds of techniques, from hand-drawn illustration to studio photography—whatever’s best to communicate a particular idea—but I think what’s evident in all of my work is spare, tightly controlled layouts; strongly harmonious color palettes; and simple, straightforward typography. And all of that comes from the kinds of things I’m interested in, whether it’s vintage book covers, Danish furniture, or Wes Anderson movies.

stated: Do you find designing for book covers very different than other projects? Essentially, you are tasked with giving us a glimpse into the whole of the story at a glance. That must present a unique challenge.

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN KING: On a conceptual level, it actually isn’t much different from designing a logo, for example. After all, a logo has to give you a glimpse into the whole story of a company, so it comes down to the same challenge: how do I chisel away at this big, complicated story until it becomes a single elegant image which explains what the whole thing is about? Where book covers differ is that you have a much larger toolkit to work with—typography, color, illustration photography, production tricks, or anything else. Since it’s so open-ended, the real challenge starts to become figuring out which tool is best to use on any given project.

stated: That makes sense. Whom would you consider some of your influences?

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN KING: I’m working on several series designs at the moment, and at this point it’s impossible not to be influenced by the brilliant designers working with Penguin in the UK, like David Pearson and Coralie Bickford-Smith, who are reminding everyone that books are the ultimate collectors’ items. I’ve also been learning more about the work of Alex Steinweiss, the inventor of the modern album cover, and incorporating some of his ideas about shape and color into my illustration work. More generally, I’ve always been influenced by World War II-era posters, early advertising artists like the Beggarstaff Brothers, and Swiss modernists like Josef Müller-Brockmann.

stated: What’s next for you?

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN KING: I’m currently serving as art director of Melville House, an independent publisher based in Brooklyn, and I’m excited about the books we have coming out this spring, especially The Neversink Library. These are important works of twentieth-century literature which have fallen out of print, in many cases for decades. We’re giving them a fresh, modern package which will feel great in your hands and look even better on your bookshelf, and I think once you read one book you’ll want to start collecting them all. The first title, After Midnight, will be in stores in May. And also out in May is The Lake, which is an incredible novel by the Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto, about two people struggling to leave behind the past as their love for each other grows. I’ve been lucky enough to work on so many great books, but this one definitely counts among my favorites.

As for what’s happening now, I work about a year out in the publishing schedule, so I’m currently putting covers together for Spring 2012. We have an amazing list lined up, but I can’t share anything quite yet—hopefully soon!

stated: You certainly have your hands full. Thanks for joining us.

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Visit Christopher at:
www.christopherbrianking.com
www.mhpbooks.com
twitter.com/christopher_k