The Heights: A Senior Narrative Book Jacket by Connor Leak (2016)

A gripping tale, taking place in the jewel of white suburbia: The Heights, California. The Heights is home to many individuals, none more self-destructive than the teenagers running amuck around town. Follow Michael, the leader of a local ''gang'', as he and the Francemont Crew venture into The Heights in search of a good time. However, the good times won't last, as a rival group, the De Ballers, have threatened the reputation of the Francemont Crew. As the final year of high school ends, tensions are hot between the Francemont Crew and the De Ballers. Unwittingly sparking conflict between the groups when they find each other at a party, the Francemont Crew try to keep their high ground over the De Ballers in a heated and violent insult-volley. This only realizes their greatest fear, as the De Ballers initiate a pissing contest of hardness, and each group tries to prove once and for all who really is the toughest gang in town. In the end, the De Baller leader snaps, and seemingly ruins the night for the Francemont Crew and the rest of the party attendees by calling the cops. Always able to have a good time, the Francemont Crew shrugs the events of the night off, and ventures back into The Heights for more hedonism.

My book jacket is supposed to show the aftermath of when the cops show up at the end of the story. On one side of the jacket is a cup that was left behind as someone fled the party, and on the other side is someone cornered by the spotlight. Instead of just holding his hands up and surrendering, the guy seems like he's still partying, reflecting the attitude of many of these teenagers living in The Heights. Each time ''The Heights'' is mentioned on my cover, I underlined and changed the font for the name to emphasize that the town of The Heights is just as important of a character as anyone else in my story. I made each component in Illustrator before I transferred it to InDesign for my final product.