Portrait of a Cover Artist - Rakeeb Razzak

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

“I treat the world as my canvas. I like to express myself through cartoons, whether I want to address any important social messages or ordinary aspects of life,” explains Rakeeb, who is currently a Fine Arts student at University of Development Alternative.

This year, he stepped into the area of book illustrations and cover art with the Ekushey Boi Mela. He has created the covers and inside illustrations of children's books -- Dunga Bhoot O Spider-Man by Mir Liaquat Ali, Kitu and Sheyaler Dour by Zillur Rahman Siddique and Guddu Burar Notun Bokami Tarpor... by Anisul Hoque. “As this was my first time making book covers and illustrations, I was quite nervous,” explains Rakeeb. “I read the manuscripts before designing the covers. It was simultaneously fun and fascinating to research the different elements that appeal to children - in terms of colour palettes, layouts, images and so on. My seniors in the field gave me some valuable insights as well.” Rakeeb is hugely inspired by the likes of Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, Mehedi Haque and Asifur Rahman. He further discussed his thoughts on this year's Ekushey Boi Mela. “Visiting the fair was quite different this time because I felt happy, but I was also anxious about the book releases,” shares Rakeeb. “I came across a stall that was wonderfully decorated with one of the covers that I had designed. That was an unforgettable moment for me.” Rakeeb aspires to do more book covers and illustrations in the near future.