Film-to-Book Design

Abstract

Dead Poets Society is a movie directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman and a novel adaptation by N.H Kleinbaum. DPS follows the lives of the students of Welton Academy, balancing stressful classes and extracurriculars for a successful future. The rare opportunity of discovering their passions and identities arrives; a new English teacher has been hired and changed their teenage lives forever. The book's cover is reminiscent of the poetry book (Five Centuries of Verse) that the students read in their DPS meetings, from the textured font, the golden wreath and the wear and tear that's complimented with references, quotes, key items and visuals on the inside. Each chapter's beginning, midway or end has important details, evidence of teenagers messing with the book or overall time wearing down the quality after every use. DPS was set in 1959, and the novel uses serif typefaces (Miller Text), type with texture (the title and typewriter notes) and handwritten poems, quotes and doodles to put the reader in the mindset of a teenager in an old boarding school. All dark academia elements, visuals of wear and tear on the cover and each page, handwritten details, limited colour scheme and textured type create a cohesive message that separates the novel from the film. The redesign proves the book did not lazily copy scene by scene and line by line. It provides a different experience and different perspective of the story.

Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher