Paul Bacon (designer)

Paul Bacon (1923 – 2015) was an American book and album cover designer. He is widely recognized for his distinctive and influential approach to book jacket design, particularly his "Big Book Look" which featured large, hand-lettered titles and often a simple, almost whimsical illustration or collage element.

Bacon's career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1950s and continuing into the 1990s. He designed covers for a vast range of authors, from literary giants to popular fiction writers. Some of his most notable book cover designs include those for Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and Sophie's Choice by William Styron.

His album cover work is less widely known but significant. He designed covers for jazz musicians like Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Blue Note Records.

Bacon’s style was characterized by its informality, its focus on typography as a primary design element, and its willingness to break with traditional design conventions. His hand-lettering, often quirky and slightly off-kilter, became his trademark. He frequently incorporated small, often abstract, illustrations or collages that complemented the title and author's name, creating a distinctive and memorable visual identity for each book.

Bacon's approach to book design revolutionized the field, moving away from overly illustrative and commercial approaches toward a more artistic and conceptual style. He emphasized the importance of readability and creating a visually engaging and memorable image that would capture the essence of the book and entice readers. His influence can still be seen in contemporary book design.