The cover illustration for the documentary photo book ›SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE—the journey to a new album‹ was initially created as album cover for ›NAM‹, the band’s first full-length album. After replaced by another cover artwork closer to the illustrations in the booklet, this illustration now embodies the essence of the album creation process as a book cover.
![SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE Cover Illustration—early drafts, Berlin, 2017 © Wanda Proft](https://wanda-proft.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scargot-nature-or-nurture-cover-illustration-draft-1-by-wanda-proft-2017-1024x683.jpg)
Two concepts are imbedded in the illustration: The lotus as reference to the album concept as well as the idea of a strengthening talisman.
In Buddhism, the lotus stands for human development from root / birth to full blossom / enlightenment as well as for getting through hardships in life. Early drafts show the shape of a lotus blossom as well as the ground as reference to the dirt, every lotus starts its life in.
The hands, for which I used photographs showing singer Chin, are representing the idea of the ›talisman‹—a word the vocalist came up with himself to describe the knowledge and strength we gain from personal experience.
![SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE Cover Illustration—drafts, Berlin, 2017 © Wanda Proft](https://wanda-proft.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scargot-nature-or-nurture-cover-illustration-draft-2-by-wanda-proft-2017-1021x1024.jpg)
In the background, I am using a photo taken during the photo shooting I conducted for the album promotion. Small stones and splinters of glass on the ground reflected the sunlight and added a unique pattern to the ground, which we took advantage of both in the band photos as well as for the cover design.
![SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE Cover Illustration—drafts, Berlin, 2017 © Wanda Proft](https://wanda-proft.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scargot-nature-or-nurture-cover-illustration-draft-4-by-wanda-proft-2017-1024x515.jpg)
Trying various options of renditions, effects, and backgrounds, I came up with seemingly countless drafts—more, I suppose, than I’ve ever had in any other project so far.
![SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE Cover Illustration—drafts, Berlin, 2017 © Wanda Proft](https://wanda-proft.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scargot-nature-or-nurture-cover-illustration-draft-3-by-wanda-proft-2017-1024x514.jpg)
Even small details were tested and discussed with the band. Finalizing the drafts in a comparatively reduced, well balanced illustration, the photo collage now appears like a talisman-like creation itself.
The shapes that were initially conceived for a square format are now coupled with strong title and subtitles on a high size—and still capture the viewers’ focus on the treasured figure of light on the book cover of ›SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE—the journey to a new album‹.
![SCARGOT—NATURE OR NURTURE Cover Illustration—final draft and close-up, Berlin, 2017 © Wanda Proft](https://wanda-proft.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scargot-nature-or-nurture-cover-illustration-book-cover-and-close-up-by-wanda-proft-2017-1024x953.jpg)
The creation of this photo collage was characterized by both glee and frustration, but I’m very satisfied with the outcome. In a way, also the process to reach the final product captures the goal we had in mind: Reflecting the growth we’ve reach in life, through good times and hardships. It’s the idea of the lotus and the talisman all over again. Consequently, there couldn’t be a better cover to present this unique book.
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commercial / 2017
link / SCARGOT official website