For this project, my task was to create a clever and striking cover that would complement a New York Times article of my choice. The one that grabbed my interest was about the Florida Everglades, since I greatly enjoy nature. The article’s title is “Tears for the Magnificent and Shrinking Everglades, a ‘River of Grass.’”
Concept 1
This cover shows a crocodile crying with the Florida everglades in the background. The “crocodile tears” are large and exaggerated. The humor of this approach helps the audience engage with a serious and devastating issue.
Concept 2
This image—an alligator with a snorkel—references the fact that the alligator’s swamp and marsh habitat is being destroyed due to rising sea levels. The blue background symbolizes the water that is immersing the reptiles and their environment.
Concept 3
This cover features a “Gone Shrinkin’” sign, hung on a wooden door. This is a play on the widely known “Gone Fishin’” sign, as the Everglades is one of the largest and best fishing locations in the world. I used humor once again to help the audience connect with an important issue.
Concept 4
This cover shows different-colored kayaks decreasing in size, with the Everglades faintly in the background. This symbolizes the shrinkage of the national park, and people’s dwindling ability to enjoy what it has to offer.
Process
My process included creating collages and visual metaphors to convey the title. It was difficult at first to come up with ideas, since the title and subtitle talked about different things. Shrinking habitats and sea-level rise are conflicting ideas, so I found it best to focus on each idea separately. During my first couple of rounds of sketching and collaging, I gravitated to ideas which showed aspects of the Everglades actually being submerged, and the environment shrinking. I later rejected these as they were literal and not conceptual. Based on further research, I decided to make designs that feature some elements that the National Park is well known for.
