Madrugada
Madrugada
Project Overview
The Client’s Request
Author: Becca Sinclair
Becca Sinclair approached me with a clear emotional vision for Madrugada, a historical romance set in post war Italy. She wanted a cover that felt ethereal and cinematic, rooted in the beauty of an Italian garden while capturing the complexity of a glamorous movie star relationship shaped by power, devotion, and control.
More than a single romantic moment, Becca wanted the cover to hint at the layered dynamics between the couple and the way their relationship evolves throughout the story. The challenge was creating something visually striking that could suggest intimacy, tension, and spectacle without giving too much away.
Book Blurb (as published):
Florence, 1948. Nisha Knight is swept to Italy by her diplomat father to have dealings with Mayor Gasparini, the mayor of Florence.
Through the intrigue and guidance of his filmmaker son, she is introduced to a new world of culture, art, and acting. Nisha finds herself caught in a web of obsession and deceit in years to come as everything she holds dear to her is destroyed at the snap of Arturo Gasparini’s fingers.
She’ll learn the hard way either she’s with Arturo, or against him.
Creative Direction & Strategy
Our design process focused on translating the story’s emotional arc into a visual narrative rather than a single static scene. To do this, I introduced the concept of a cinematic film reel woven throughout the cover. Each frame mirrors moments inspired by scenes from the book, offering subtle glimpses into the relationship and reinforcing the story’s connection to film, fame, and performance.
The Italian garden setting was designed to feel lush, romantic, and slightly otherworldly, creating a soft contrast to the darker emotional undertones of the story. Color, lighting, and composition were carefully refined to balance beauty and tension, allowing the romance and control themes to coexist visually.
Throughout the process, we collaborated closely to refine pacing, composition, and tone, ensuring the final cover felt cohesive, intentional, and aligned with the world of Madrugada.
Final Deliverables
• Custom full wraparound book cover (front, spine, and back)
• Ebook cover adaptation
• Typography and layout design
• High resolution artwork prepared for print and digital publishing
• Transparent character PNG files for promotional use or future merchandise
Impact
Madrugada features a cover designed to immediately attract romance readers through atmosphere, emotion, and visual storytelling. The cinematic composition and romantic Italian setting signal drama, obsession, and glamour at a glance, making it an inviting and compelling choice for readers drawn to intense, story driven romance.
