Founded in 1935, British publisher Penguin soon became a byword for popular fiction, selling over one million books in its first year. Right from the start, the design of the company’s book covers was simple, with three horizontal bands of colour, instantly making them different from the illustration laden competition.
The top and bottom panels were coloured contrastingly accordingly to the type of genre to which the books belonged; the iconic orange and white palette signifying general fiction. Designed by 21-year-old Penguin office junior Edward Young, the books’ white central panel featured the author’s name and title in Eric Gill’s sans serif typeface Gill Sans. Young’s basic design was popular and timeless, being used until the 1950s.
Did you know?
Recent editions of Penguin imprints have revisited the classic three-band design, so recognisable is the look. The original 1935 colour scheme for the fiction books included green and white for crime, red and white for travel, blue and white for biographies, purple and white for essays, and grey and white for world affairs.
Tags: British Design Classics, Culture, Design