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Getting acquainted with ‘Rich People Problems’ cover illustrator
Author Kevin Kwan is set to release the Indonesian cover of Rich People Problems, the third book from the best-selling series Crazy Rich Asians.
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The Indonesian version of "Rich People Problems" is scheduled to be released on March 12. (Shutterstock/File)
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uthor Kevin Kwan is set to release the Indonesian cover of Rich People Problems, the third book from the best-selling series Crazy Rich Asians. The cover, using blue as the background color with an illustration of a girl, has grabbed the public's attention. Kwan expressed gratitude for the cover's illustrator, Martin Dima.
“When I found out that he liked the cover, it felt satisfying,” said Martin to The Jakarta Post in a phone interview. Martin also works as creative director for a lifestyle magazine.
It took around two to three weeks for Martin to do the cover, and he finished it last year. “It took longer for the approval [part],” Martin added. “I made several poses [for the girl on the cover], gave them to my editor [Dini Pandia] and then she picked one. After she approved the pose and the color, I made the final [version].”
Martin was also the man behind the Indonesian cover for the first and second books, Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend. “When you look at these three books, there are two templates — the girl’s pose and icons in Chinese culture,” explained Martin, adding that there are three different icons on the book’s title. “The first one is a dragon, the second is a phoenix and the third is a tiger.”
Read also: ‘Glee’ actor Harry Shum Jr. cast in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’
Although he has illustrated three, Martin admitted there was a challenge in finding the connection between the third installment and the first and second installments. “In the beginning, I didn’t know the [first] book would have its sequels. Thankfully, there’s an icon on the book title, so I just did the [girl's] pose and background color,” Martin stated.
Having served as cover illustrator for many Gramedia books since 2007, Martin's other illustration credits include: Stephenie Meyer’s The Chemist, Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly and Sophie Kinsella’s Finding Audrey. His work on Finding Audrey was also used as the cover for the book’s Turkish edition.
When asked which was his favorite cover, Martin could not choose one. For him, although he has illustrated many covers, he still finds the task challenging. “It’s important to be able to translate what the book wants,” he said. “There’s a saying: Don’t judge a book by its cover. But many people may buy the book based on its cover.”
“It’s also important that my editor is satisfied with the result and readers express that they like it,” said Martin, who credited God for his success. As for his forthcoming project, Martin’s illustrations will be found on the Artemis Fowl series, which has yet to be completed. (mut)
