The House on Mango Street

For this book jacket inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, my mission was to craft a visually compelling concept that captures the essence of Esperanza’s journey — her search for identity, belonging, and independence within her neighborhood. My primary challenge was to interpret the book’s central themes of cultural heritage, womanhood, and self-discovery through a visual metaphor that felt both authentic and unexpected.

The final design aligns with Phoenix Publishing House’s contemporary aesthetic while appealing to urban professionals aged 28–45 in Downtown Phoenix’s arts district — individuals who value stories of transformation, cultural depth, and personal empowerment.

STRAIGHT TO WORK

This book covers themes like:

  • Finding your identity

  • Growing up as a girl

  • Community and family

  • Wanting a better life

Creating the Design

NOTES, BRAINSTORMS, AND SKETCHES

COLOR PALETTE

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Mind Map

Design Inspo.

Rust

#C9643E

RGB: 201, 100, 62

CMYK: 16, 72, 84, 4

Blush

#E3BAA6

RGB: 227, 186, 166

CMYK: 10, 28, 32, 0

House Illustration

Moodboard

Wall Paper Texture

Swan

#FFFCF0

RGB: 225, 252, 240

CMYK: 0, 0, 5, 0

Cloud

#EDEADF

RGB: 237, 234, 223

CMYK: 6, 5, 11, 0

The warm, feminine color palette reflects the main character’s perspective as she observes and absorbs the resilience and hardships faced by the women around her. Reimagining the “o” in “house” introduces a focal point for the reader, offering a subtle cue to the story’s sense of place and environment.

Teddy

#8F6E4A

RGB: 143, 110, 74

CMYK: 38, 52, 75, 18

Author in window sill illustration

Sanda Cisneros | Photo by Diana Solis

Book Jacket Executions

FIRST BOOK JACKET EXECUTION

First book jacket design with color blocking

First book jacket design with annotations

Final Book Jacket

Final book jacket design flat lay

Final book jacket design front cover

Final book jacket design all angles

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