Independent Study: Neil Gaiman: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane

A recent new story from author Neil Gaiman has inspired a limited edition cover, designed and illustrated by Dave McKean, which will only see 2,000 printed copies. Keeping in tradition with book designs for 'special', limited-edition books, McKean makes full use of the book's physicality. The book is 'deluxe hardcover' with a die-cut silk-bound slipcase, beautifully designed endpapers, while the text is printed on heavy-stock matte paper. This was revealed to me on Chip Kidd's website.

The book's case adds an extra element to the design, playing on shape and texture. It would have been interesting to see hidden images, however, once you remove the case, images that had lain in wait under it. But the cover is still beautiful even when the case is removed. The case adds a fun element and makes the book look more like a treasured, high-end item.

McKean also illustrated high-quality and full-colour images for the inside of the book. This was interesting to view, as it is unusual for a book to contain illustrations, especially coloured, intricate ones such as this. This only adds to the book's appeal and quality.