Creative direction, animation for promo video for Road to Hell
Graphic and Video Design

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Cover and Promo for 'The Road
to Hell'

We were approached for cover design by Snake Nation Press and celebrated author and photographer, James Calemine during the final editing stages of his book "Road to Hell." Our mission was to devise an engaging cover and a compelling promotional video that reflected the tone of his collection of short stories woven with haunting tales from the deep south.

We initiated the process by exploring Calemine's vast collection of photographs. The task was to identify a single image that could encapsulate the allure and mystery of "Road to Hell" and serve as the face of this narrative. After evaluating hundreds of images, we unearthed the one that resonated with the enigmatic vibe of the book.

James Calemine's unedited photo for his book, The Road to Hell
Original photo used for book cover and video ©James Calemine

The next stage was designing the cover. Our design needed to convey the historical context of Calemine's writing while simultaneously reflecting the eerie undertones of his stories. We settled on a font that embodied the narrative's timeless essence while harmonizing with the story's tone.

James Calemine's Road to Hell book cover, designed by Show Pixels
Photo transformed into a cover fitting the content
Road to Hell cover design
Photo editing, graphic design for the cover of The Road to Hell

Transitioning to the promotional video, we aimed to distill the essence of "Road to Hell" into a quick peek into the author's work. The author provided a succinct summary of the book, which we animated to reflect the historic feel of the book while preserving the intrigue and allure of the stories. The animation process gave us the opportunity to "move down" the "Road to Hell" with a several techniques that brought the photo to life. To further enhance the atmosphere, we selected and enhanced a haunting audio track that paralleled the book's themes.

This project was a fantastic platform to combine visual, textual, and audio elements. The "Road to Hell" project is a testament to our commitment to transforming complex narratives into compelling promotional content, arousing curiosity and anticipation amongst potential readers.

For more information on author and photographer James Calemine, visit jamescalemine.com.

Show Pixels is a full-service creative content agency with 20 years of experience supporting the world's biggest businesses at live events. We know what it takes to bring your vision to life. To discuss how we can boost your impact with your audience, contact us at:
hello@showpixels.com