The Product I created 'The Penguin Puffer' for Penguin Random House publishing company.
Project Overview As part of my final Graphic Design degree project, I created The Penguin Puffer, a one-of-a-kind, handmade coat designed to inspire teenagers to read more. This exclusive design was commissioned by Penguin Random House and celebrates both the iconic Penguin Books brand and the timeless literary heritage of D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow. The coat merges literature with fashion, drawing from the book's themes to create a piece that speaks to both style enthusiasts and young readers. The design’s goal was to encourage a new generation to engage with literature in an innovative, visually compelling way.
Project Overview As part of my final Graphic Design degree project, I created The Penguin Puffer, a one-of-a-kind, handmade coat designed to inspire teenagers to read more. This exclusive design was commissioned by Penguin Random House and celebrates both the iconic Penguin Books brand and the timeless literary heritage of D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow. The coat merges literature with fashion, drawing from the book's themes to create a piece that speaks to both style enthusiasts and young readers. The design’s goal was to encourage a new generation to engage with literature in an innovative, visually compelling way.
Challenge The key challenge was to design a product that not only highlighted the recognizability of Penguin Books but also conveyed the core themes of The Rainbow, including individuality, self-responsibility, and initiative. I needed to create a design that felt both contemporary and timeless, appealing to teenagers and sparking their interest in reading. The coat had to make a bold statement about the intersection of fashion and literature, showing how storytelling can be integrated into everyday life.
Approach To engage teenagers, I made sure the design incorporated iconic Penguin brand elements such as the Penguin logo on the back collar and the sub-logo on the left chest. I selected a color palette that stayed true to Penguin Books’ aesthetic while remaining modern and accessible. To connect the design to the themes of The Rainbow, I included a hidden, screen-printed detail on the interior lining - a subtle print of pages from the book itself. This intimate detail not only made the piece unique but also served as a visual prompt, encouraging wearers to reflect on the deeper themes of self-expression and personal growth found in the novel.
Impact The Penguin Books Puffer has not only generated excitement across social media but also sparked meaningful conversations about the power of books to shape culture. By combining fashion with literary themes, the design has served as a gateway for teenagers to explore literature in a modern, relatable way. The project successfully positioned Penguin Books as more than just a publishing house but a lifestyle brand that resonates with a younger audience. As a result, the coat has contributed to increased visibility for Penguin Books, driven brand engagement, and helped to reignite interest in reading among teenagers.
