The John Gruber Experience

Graphic design layout for a James Bond book cover
Graphic design layout for a James Bond book back cover

The Secret Kitchenette​ Book Cover

Idea and Concept


This project was a book cover. Unlike the other projects before, the subject matter was assigned. The title designated to me was “The Secret Kitchenette.” I didn’t want to do any of the apparent genres, such as horror. The James Bond spy novel was decided at the theme. Using the pen name of Ian Fleming, I came up with a whole backstory for the novel. Fleming was known for exciting titles such as Moonraker and Goldeneye that were code names for dastardly weapons of the super–villains so this title could fit. In some circles, a “kitchen” could be slang for a lab. So a kitchenette could be a codename for a small mobile nuclear lab that eluded MI6 due to its mobility. The subtitle of “Now Serving the Nuclear Option” hints at this storyline. 

Challenges

After several free use images, I couldn’t find an image of a “Bond Girl” for the side of the cover. Using Daz3D, I created a 3D model in the right pose for the cover.

Tools Used

  • Masking
  • Smart Objects
  • Smart Filters

Key Tools and Techniques Used 

3D Object and 3D modeling and green screening