Overtaken By Events: Cover design by Jason Kopec
When Ethan first approached me about designing a cover for his book, I felt a mix of excitement and hesitancy. I knew Ethan fairly well at that point, and I was very aware of how passionate and honest he strives to be in his work. I knew I would have to have a very clear understanding of all the parameters and perspectives involved in this book before I could even begin to approach designing something sufficient.
This took many meetings, emails, discussions, etc. – so many that I began to see deeper and deeper into the knowledge Ethan brings to the table on his chosen subject matter. My design had to reflect that depth, and do it in a way that appealed to any reader knowledgeable about Pakistan, while at the same time be engaging enough that the average passerby might stop and say, “Hmm … what’s this about?”
The cover for Overtaken By Events began with the concept of a journey. I had to search for anwers to these questions: What summarizes this visually? What makes someone feel they are going to a foreign place, where fascination and exploration take the place of apathy? And, more importantly, what would make this cover look inherently Pakistani?
Since I’m a bit of a traveller myself, I knew that among the most emblematic sights in Pakistan (as in India and the rest of the subcontinent) are the decorated trucks that drive all over the country delivering goods and providing mobile lodging for their drivers. I thought the vibrant colors and crowded, detailed designs would provide a perfect canvas for showcasing the book’s message. This feel, together with the photography of Pete Sabo, proved to be a very effective combination. The result communicates not just a mood of a country, nor just sights you might see there, but somehow also the transitory, adventurous nature of the book itself.
- Jason Kopec
