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PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE X Sophie Donaj

3 days ago
1 min read

CREATIVE: Sophie Donaj

CLIENT: PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

ROLE: 2D Illustration



We’re thrilled to share Sophie Donaj’s latest commission for The Intrigue, the new novel from bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia, published by Del Rey. A sizzling noir about desire, danger, and greed, the book follows a 1940s con artist who learns that seduction can cut both ways. Penguin Random House’s marketing team and Silvia were drawn to Sophie’s bold portrait work and selective color palette. They tapped her to create a promotional piece styled as a faux 1940s travel poster for the Festival of San Fidel de las Cumbres. At the center stand the story’s three leads: Perla, the guarded boardinghouse owner with her arms firmly crossed; Ulises, the handsome con artist in a cream double-breasted suit; and Inés, Perla’s observant niece, desperate to escape.



Each character holds an item significant to the story. Ulises dangles a ring of keys, and Inés grips a bottle of sherry. Sophie’s signature mix of rich texture and a touch of nostalgia gives the poster its period glow, with teal fireworks bursting over a silhouetted bandstand while shadowy musicians and dancers set the scene. The festival tradition of young women dancing with yellow ribbons in their hair carries through the golden title banner and the ribbon tied into Inés’s curls. Small details are tucked in throughout for readers already in the know. Shared as a collaboration between Sophie and Silvia, the piece carries the book’s darker noir energy into its promotional campaign.



For more information about Sophie Donaj, visit her portfolio page!

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