Senior Book Jacket: A Senior Narrative Book Jacket by Laurel O'Such (2015)

Shelter takes place in Rakesville, San Francisco in the future where everyone lives in the elements as a way to get back to nature; it follows the main character Herb Allen, an extraordinary young man. Herb lives in the rocks which is slightly different than everyone else, for most live in the light, leaves, trees, etc. Herb is eventually faced with a difference in his daily routine, a friend, Tanis. Herb was never really one for friends because he missed out on learning appropriate social skills taught by ones parents. Herb's parents were never there for him. In this way he belongs in the rocks, because it shows his true strength and perseverance that he used to get through his childhood problems. Tanis realizes that Herb's uniqueness is actually just a unique way of dealing with a common problem.

My Mise en Scene or cover photo is one of the most important scenes in my story. It's taken as if from Tanis' point of view and shows the vulnerability in Herb's eyes. This is the point in the story when Herb shares with Tanis why he lives in the rocks by explaining what he went through as a child. I edited the photo to try and express the dystopian side of the story with high contrast, black and white colors, clarity, and enhancing my actor's features. I used wood grain to show the huge connection the society has with nature, but applied a black opaque color over it. This was to show the juxtaposition of living in an orderly society in an overpopulated city but still turning back to living in nature. I used gold accents in my text and graphic design elements to show the advancement in society and modern thinking.