Felices Ahora - Custom Lettering for Penguin Random House - Marta Piedra

Creative Process

1. The Title Structure:

The title structure, with “para siempre” crossed out and “Ahora” overlaid, visually reinforces this idea. The touch of color, with hints of blood, symbolizes intensity and rupture, but I made sure it wasn’t too dark to maintain the adorable aesthetic of the book.

The main challenge was to create a clear and orderly lettering that fit into the available space on the cover illustration, especially above the character. I designed “Happy Forever” in a Gothic-inspired typography, but with a soft touch to make it more friendly, while “Now” was intentionally more expressive, with a bold stroke that draws attention.

The final design not only conveys the tone of the book, but also harmoniously balances the message with the cute aesthetic. This project was a great opportunity to fuse lettering techniques with a deep and powerful concept.

2. Typographic Development:

1. General Composition:

It was important that the placement of the title within the upper space was well-executed in all proposals. The arrangement ensures that the text has a good visual balance with respect to the central character and decorative elements.

2. Gothic Cute Style:

The proposals achieved a good balance between Gothic and cute styles, but there were differences in interpretation. For example:

The version with “PARA SIEMPRE” in a heavier Gothic style (e.g. second and third options in the top row) has a good presence and fits well with the Gothic touch without being too somber. However, it could be adjusted slightly to maintain the “cute” feel by using softer contours or decorative details.
The choice of line thickness and ornamentation style in some options gives a sweeter and more playful feeling, especially when the thickness is not excessively heavy.

3. Strikethrough and “Ahora” in Blood:

The effect of strikethrough and “Ahora” written with a reminiscence of blood is interesting and effectively conveys the idea without being too terrifying in most proposals.

Some variants (e.g. third row) make the effect appear more “painted” than bloody, which maintains the cute tone.
I needed to maintain consistency so that the effect is clear but not too graphic, and avoid having the strikethrough compete visually with the word “Ahora”.

4. Legibility:

Legibility is, as I mentioned, the main challenge here. In several proposals, “Felices para siempre” and “Ahora” are easy to read and well-organized. However, some versions have elements that blend together a bit:

When “Ahora” is too small or has an extreme inclination, it can lose clarity and strength. Keeping it in a size that allows it to stand out from the strikethrough but without becoming disordered is key.
The use of additional details (e.g. ornamental lines or flourishes) should be moderate to avoid detracting from text legibility.

The Final Result

1. Style Blend:

The lettering successfully combines the Gothic style with a cute touch, particularly with the word “Now” written in a fluid stroke that adds a unique character. The contrast between “Happy Forever” and “Now” works perfectly, highlighting the crossed-out message and adding a rebellious and fresh point.

2. Use of Strike-Through:

The strike-through is subtle yet effective. It conveys the concept clearly without overwhelming the composition. The stroke that crosses out “para siempre” maintains a delicate touch, losing none of the general aesthetic, making it more readable and easier to interpret.