MERRY RIANA
MERRY RIANA is one of famous motivator, entrepreneur, actress, writer who starts her struggle in Singapore. However, she was born in Jakarta, 29th May 1980 and her parents decides to send her to Singapore when she was 18 years old. It is because there was an unrest in Indonesia in 1998 and to save her from the unrest.
The first time when she comes to Singapore, she was only given money by her father $30 SGD and she really needs to survive in Singapore alone. Although, her condition is very hard and don't have enough money, she has decided to continue her studies in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore using government loan.
Because of that condition, she decided to pay off all her debt and also to get more money by doing part time job and starting doing small business when she was studying in NTU.
Because of her efforts and her dreams, she has been success to pay her debt and become a motivator and an insurance entrepreneur. Therefore, she can build her own insurance business (Merry Riana Organization / MRO) in 51 Scotts Road, Singapore.
Her story life in Singapore has inspire so many people, especially for people who also study and survive in other country.
Because of the inspirational life story, she has published 3 books which have been best seller and have been translated into so many languages.
A Gift from A Friend (Sebuah Hadiah dari Seorang Teman) is the first book of Merry Riana which has written by Merry Riana herself in English translation. In this book, Merry Riana tells about her struggles and how she can get her first $1 million SGD. Moreover, she also tells more how she can meet with her partner who always supports her when she lives in Singapore alone.
Beside that, she also gives some tips how to be a success entrepreneur or a businessman/woman.
This book has been released on 2006 in Singapore and has become best seller only in one month.
Personally, this cover design is quite simple with red and white colors as the main colors.
This is the cover design for Indonesian translation which has been published on 28th June 2011.
The designer used pink and white for designing this cover book. Although, I don't know what the reason is, but in my opinion, the designer wants to show the gentleness of Merry Riana as a woman.
Moreover, the design is neat, clean and not too much things to show more about the writer. On other hand, the typography is also suitable with the theme, except for the italic words, because it is hard to read.
Mimpi Sejuta Dolar (Million Dollar Dreams) is the second book that tells about Merry Riana's life in Singapore, how she ca get her first $1 million SGD in 26 years old. This story has been written by one of famous writer, Alberthiene Endah.
After becoming popular in entertainment by her story life which has so many struggles and her passion to pay off all her debt to Singapore government, the designer change the book cover into illustration style in 7th January 2011.
At the first time I saw this cover design, I don't understand enough what is relating between the title and illustration. However, I like the way the designer draw the illustration. It is because, it is so smooth and simple with the cloud effect.
Although, I can not relate the title and the illustration, I can understand what the illustration mean, when I read the story which tells that about the freedom from financial problems, especially when she can get her first $1 million SGD.
This is the first cover design which has been published on February 2012. The designer, used Merry Riana photo and just simple layout with white background and simple decoration at the back of photo. However, this cover design is not too interesting and can not attract people attention, especially for people who does not know who Merry Riana is.
This is the newest cover design which also created according to the first movie of Million Dollar Dreams (Mimpi Sejuta Dolar) has been released on 24th December 2014.
I like this cover design because it is suitable the story, the photography, the background and also the typography.
Moreover, this cover design is also used for the poster movie when the movie has been released in cinema.
This is the cover design for English translation. It is more simple rather than the Indonesian translation. However, with the black background, the design cover looks more elegant, simple and interesting.
Although, the designer is only using Merry Riana's face drawing, it is enough to show about who Merry Riana is.
The typography style is suitable with the illustration itself.
Because of the popularity of this story and has been published repeatedly, finally, Merry Riana can tells about her story life into graphic novel. Personally, I don't really like the people illustration, but for the background is very neat and and nice. The way the designer color the illustration is very smooth and detail.
However, there are 5 kinds of different typography in one cover design. Moreover, the style is not connected each other with Serif style and Sans-Serif style in one cover design.
Langkah Sejuta Suluh (Million Torch Steps) is the third book of Merry Riana which tells more detail about Merry Riana's story life, until she can build her own firm in Singapore, how she can become an insurance agent with her friends. This book has been published before her first movie has been released in cinema, in February 2014.
This book has been written by Clara. NG. As the writer, she can tell the detail of Merry Riana's struggle and make people wants to know what happen next.
The cover design is also suitable with the title. The steps for achieving the success has been symbol by the stairs. The torch is the symbol of the hope which can be the light in every dark steps that we face.
I like the color contrast and I can feel the story behind form the illustration.
This is the poster design of Merry Riana Movie. As I have explained before, this poster can tell the story of the movie itself. Te background is very nice and interesting. The designer put main actor and main actress as the main point of this poster. So people can know little bit about this movie before they watch this movie.
This is also one of the poster of Merry Riana Movie. The designer use Marina Bay Sands background to tell the place where Merry Riana should be after landing to Singapore. Moreover, the actress who become Merry Riana in this movie has become main focus of this poster, to tell people that this movie has been taken in Singapore for showing the real story.
This is one of the poster which is used for advertising Merry Riana show in one of radio station. I like the background, with bright color ad the photo of Merry Riana herself.
"LIVE is not only about skimp and survive, but also we need to FIGHT until the end"
This is one of quote posting which has created based on Merry Riana says.
Using photography, the designer try to show more about the movie and Merry Riana life in Singapore.
The typography is quite clear, although not all the words can be read. However, the align is suitable with the background.
"A woman can also do what a man does"
This quote posting has 4 types of typography. However, because of the differences types of typography, it can give the feeling of the message of this quote.
The reason why I choose Marry Riana as my inspiration is because her life story has inspired me to be a person who has a passion when I have a dream. Merry Riana is not a designer or a graphic designer, but her condition and her story are same with my condition when I decide to move to Singapore. I get a lot idea and understand about passion and what dream is.
I don't want to be an entrepreneur like what she does, but her passion to achieve her dreams, really affect my mindset, to be more brave and never give up.
By analyse Merry Riana books cover, I also learn how to design a nice and interesting book cover, which can tell about the story inside. I also learn how to do photography when I need to create a poster or a book cover using real photo.
