The intricate book covers Dale Halvorsen designs are at once gripping trailers and accurate visual summaries of the stories that lie beneath them, writes Alix-Rose Cowie aboutthis Cape Town based designer.
“Despite what some may think, you literally can judge a book by its cover. Which is just as well – or I’d be out of job,” says Joey Hi-Fi, the better-known alter ego of award-winning South African illustrator and designer Dale Halvorsen.
Hi-Fi is in the business of first impressions, designing the all-important wrapping for dark, twisting tales of fantasy and adventure – judging by his covers, at least.
Sometimes clean, sometimes layered, but always intricate, the book covers he designs are at once gripping trailers and accurate visual summaries of the stories that lie beneath them.
Hi-Fi is excellent at what he does and the givers of awards agree. The latest addition to his list of achievements is a nomination for Best Artist at the British Fantasy Awards, whose results will be announced in September this year at FantasyCon 2014. At this year’s British Science Fiction Association Awards he won Best Artwork for Tony Ballantyne’s Dream London.
Interpreting a writer’s ideas is a role Hi-Fi takes seriously. Before attempting any design, he first reads the book, making extensive notes. While enjoying the perk of an exclusive read before a book is published, he is aware of the great responsibility placed on him by the writer.
Currently Hi-Fi is working on a cover for the South African edition of Kill Baxter by Charlie Human and the cover for Imraan Coovadia’s new book Tales of the Metric System.
Find the full article in the Mail & Guardian which was adapted from an interview with the artist that appeared on the creative showcase site Between 10 and 5.
