A cover design for a children’s book about breaking rules, drawing kolams, and finding courage.
Commissioned as a test assignment for Penguin India, Kolam Kanna tells the story of Bharathidasan, a young boy with a love for kolam art — traditionally the domain of women — who enters a girls-only contest under a disguised name.
The brief called for a vibrant, action-oriented cover with strong character presence and a celebration of kolam traditions. Two distinct visual approaches were developed:
— One cover evokes the tension of rebellion through bold color blocking and stylized abstraction.
— The other leans into joy and youthfulness with rounded forms, festive palettes, and playful character design.
Both interpretations explore themes of gender norms, community, and self-expression — blending tradition with personal defiance.
Unpublished work. Created for Penguin India as a design exploration.