The Culture Series Reissue: Iain M. Banks

I was approached by Little Brown Book Group UK to work on book covers for the reissue of The Culture novels by science fiction legend, Iain M. Banks. The aim was to use very simple shapes and lines to create a satisfying rhythm and subtly suggest the three-dimensional forms of planets, nebulae, and other features of the cosmos. Adding grain and texture and using monochromatic colour schemes give the pieces more depth and atmosphere. There is an intentional nod to vintage science fiction, perhaps conjuring thoughts of grids, graph paper, grainy space photography, and polygonal video games from the 80s like Elite Dangerous and Wing Commander.

This was a long project with many different parties to satisfy between the publisher and the estate of the author with much emphasis on simplifying the overall aesthetic of the series. The abstraction and use of very bold Pantones seem to mark a change in book cover design, particularly in the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Role: Illustrator

Client: Little Brown UK

2023