Talking Beasts did a cover bracket awhile back, featuring many designs from the various sets that have been done over the years, and one thing I noticed was that several of the books had variations on a single theme going. I said to myself, "What if I specifically set out to do something else?" 
...I didn't. 
I've also pondered the possibility of a very minimalist design--those were popular a few years ago as well.
Anyway, those two thoughts finally turned into something.
The specifically medieval take isn't all that new, but it does have some fun possibilities for marginalia if I ever refine the idea.
(Another idea I like, though it hasn't turned into a sketch or anything, is when you have a design across the spines of an entire set... I don't think Narnia has one like that, and it would be very cool if it did.)
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost - how long ago! -- G. K. Chesterton
I like the lily in the foreground of the cover for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
For better or worse-for who knows what may unfold from a chrysalis?-hope was left behind.
-The God Beneath the Sea by Leon Garfield & Edward Blishen check out my new blog!
Posted : February 22, 2025 7:26 am
(Another idea I like, though it hasn't turned into a sketch or anything, is when you have a design across the spines of an entire set... I don't think Narnia has one like that, and it would be very cool if it did.)
This is a cool idea but it'd further highlight the issue of ordering because they have to be displayed in a specific way for the design to work. Therefore people like me who display the boxset in publication order would have to concede to chronological for this set.
'It is not easy to throw off in half an hour an enchantment which has made one a slave for ten years' - The Silver Chair
Posted : February 22, 2025 11:13 am
Courtenay liked
I like those, @mel! As you suggest on Tumblr, they could do with some polishing, but overall they look lovely, especially with the medieval style. One of my main objections to the recently revealed new cover designs is that, even though they're not actually AI-generated art, they look a lot like it, and just feel too much like generic "fantasy art" covers with nothing to make them stand out as something different. Your concepts do stand out and look different and genuinely intriguing!
(I also appreciate the fact that you've got the numbering in what the vast majority of us Narnia fans agree is the correct order!! 
)
Just one question, because I can't quite make it out — who is the other creature talking to Puzzle on the cover of The Last Battle?
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan. "And now all Narnia will be renewed."
(Prince Caspian)
Posted : February 22, 2025 12:12 pm
I do like these! *votes for Mel's designs to replace the current new designs.
There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.
"...when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards."
Posted : February 22, 2025 12:24 pm
Moonlit_Centaur liked
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