Imagine your favorite vintage book cover springing to life, its swirling geometric patterns twisting and turning as though they’ve just had their morning coffee. Well, animator Henning M. Lederer has done just that in his mesmerizing short film, “Even More Covers.” It’s proof that even decades-old design can still hit you in the feels—with a kaleidoscopic punch, to boot.
Henning doesn’t just dabble; he dives into the dusty archives of mid-century book design. His third installment in the Covers series breathes new life into a staggering 66 vintage book covers, transforming static designs into trippy animations that look like they were pulled straight out of a Harry Potter movie. But instead of wizards and wand-waving, we’re treated to philosophy, science, and logic textbooks with covers so eye-catching they could serve as home decor.
The Geometric Groove
The magic starts with the covers themselves. We’re not talking shiny bestsellers here; these are niche, mid-century gems. Think Karl Popper’s The Logic of Scientific Discovery and Plato’s Republic. You know, the kind of books your philosophy-loving uncle might hoard. But thanks to Lederer’s animations, what once looked like confusing clip art becomes a hypnotic symphony of shapes, patterns, and movement.
Picture a grid of concentric circles spinning like records at a silent disco, or zigzags undulating like a colorful optical illusion. These designs didn’t just scream “retro” when they were first published; they now hum with their own rhythm, thanks to Lederer’s sense of timing paired with Tilman Grundig’s minimalist, entrancing music.
Not Your Average Textbook Aesthetic
What really raises the eyebrow (or both) is Lederer’s choice of book covers. These aren’t coffee-table stunners or flashy airport reads. They were the sleeping giants of design—textbooks and academic works that originally had the shelf appeal of a brown paper bag. Now, Lederer’s animations make you question how we got stuck with unimaginative ebook covers in the first place. Where’s my hypnotic spinning artwork when I open my Kindle app?
Why It Hits Different
There’s something refreshing about Lederer’s refusal to reinvent these covers entirely. Instead, he channels the original design intent and amplifies it. It’s like he’s saying, “The beauty’s already here; I’m just giving it a little nudge.” And boy, does it nudge you straight into a nostalgia-drenched rabbit hole.
The animations not only bring out the creativity of the original designers but also offer a new perspective on how books were presented and consumed back in the day. It’s design history meeting modern tech in the quirkiest, most satisfying way possible.
The Odd Hypothetical
Watching Even More Covers, you can’t help but wonder about today’s books. Why don’t all book covers come with animations? I’d gladly double down on my Audible subscription if each title’s visual art were this lively. Maybe one day we’ll scroll through ebooks to find covers that shimmer like Lederer’s work. Until then, we’ll have to rewatch this five-minute visual symphony on loop.
Rediscover the Charm of Design
Henning M. Lederer has gifted us more than just a video; he’s presented a case for rediscovering the charm of old-school design. His Covers series is a reminder that beauty can be found in unexpected places, even on the dusty covers of mid-century academic books.
If you’re not already clicking around Vimeo right now to watch Even More Covers, really, what are you waiting for? You won’t just enjoy it; you might just fall in love with the forgotten art of book cover design. Or at the very least, you’ll be inspired to hang some vintage covers on your wall.
