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Keltie+Cochrane feels the Force with new Star Wars novels

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

March 24, 2009 | 3 min read

Newcastle based design agency Keltie+Cochrane is work with Lucasfilms as it illustrates the first three covers of a new series of Star Wars novels.

The company picked up the project following a competitive pitch against two other design agencies, including a New York poster design company.

The opportunity arose after Keltie+Cochrane’s work was shown to the global publishing giant, Random House, by a US-based agent.

Ian Keltie, director at Keltie+Cochrane, commented: “It feels amazing to be associated with the Star Wars novels, which have a huge international following. We submitted some outline proposals to David Stevenson, a senior art director at Random House. He really liked them and they were presented in person to Lucasfilm at their San Francisco headquarters.”

The first book of the series, Outcast by Aaron Allston, will launch around the world today (24 March).

The first in the series is the newest of several hundred Star Wars novels dating back to 1976, two years before the first film.

The novels, set in what is known as the ‘Expanded Universe’, have developed a huge following among fans, filling in many of the gaps left by the six movies.

“With the Star Wars franchise, the book covers are a key component as they set the tone and visualisation for the entire novel,” said David Stevenson. “For example, in this novel Luke Skywalker is pushing 60, so he needs to appear older, while also looking tough and virile.

“We liked the approach that Keltie+Cochrane took to our original brief and their work is the perfect fusion of original design with the common themes of the Star Wars genre. Lucasfilm particularly like the way they responded to feedback by going that extra mile to achieve the desired style.

“We’ve been contracted for the first three books, with the opportunity to do a further six, so this project really will boost our profile,” added Ian. “Our only hope now is that our work will meet the high expectations of the Star Wars faithful and help to ensure the books are a huge sales success.”

“The first cover is already creating a stir in the Star Wars web forums, and we’ve just finished the next two, which will be published in the next few months,” said Jason.

“Both Ian and I are hugely passionate about great design and love working with clients who appreciate the value and benefit it can bring.”

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