Code for What Book Cover

Project Overview

Code for What? Computer Science for Storytelling and Social Justice explores how computing can be taught as a tool for civic engagement, creativity, and equity. The MIT Press commissioned a cover that would resonate with educators, researchers, and practitioners, while also standing out in a competitive academic catalog.

Brandbook was selected to design a cover that communicated the book’s purpose: making computer science meaningful for storytelling and social change.

Our Approach

We began by studying the manuscript’s themes and the publisher’s visual ecosystem. Our key design goals were:

• Balance credibility and accessibility — present a professional academic feel that still feels approachable.

• Bridge disciplines — blend cues from computer science with cultural storytelling and social justice.

• Optimize for visibility — design a cover that maintains impact at retail thumbnail size and on library shelves.

Design Solution

• Typography: A bold, modern type treatment ensures strong readability for the long title and subtitle, particularly important for MIT Press’s distribution channels.

• Visual Motif: Abstract, layered graphic elements symbolize both structured data and the organic flow of stories — a reflection of the book’s argument that code is not just technical, but narrative.

• Color Palette: Limited but high-contrast palette chosen for legibility across print, matte coatings, and digital formats.

• Spine and Back: Designed for dense copy and endorsements, with emphasis on clarity in academic shelving contexts.

• Production Prep: Delivered a press-ready package aligned to MIT Press specs, including jacket wrap, spine, and digital thumbnail exports.

Deliverables

• Hardcover jacket (front, spine, back)

• eBook cover thumbnail

• Print-ready production files (PDF/X-1a, assets, preflight)

• Digital/social graphics for catalog and promotional use

Outcomes

The final design achieved a clean, credible look that reflects both the technical and human-centered themes of the book. With strong visibility at small sizes and a cohesive back-cover system, the design helped position Code for What? for academic adoption while also appealing to broader audiences invested in equity and technology.

Credits

• Authors: Clifford Lee & Elisabeth Soep

• Publisher: The MIT Press

• Cover Design: Pedro Vega Jr., Brandbook