CONCEPT A Brief History of Time, a cosmology book by Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the most popular non fiction science books. Based on the themes and theories presented within the book, the cover created for the Penguin Student Design awards focuses primarily on the topic of black holes. The ambiguity of the black and white minimalist style provides a sense of mysteriousness, a trait often associated with the topic of black holes - combined with the general design & repetitive use of simple lines and shapes, it appropriately replicates a graph or diagram, again a common association with the subject matter.
OUGD503
Penguin Book
Charlotte Price
RESEARCH Research into this brief was divided into 2 categories. The first was existing designs for A Brief History of Time covers. Covers for the book vary from largely text based to illustrative and conceptual. Discovering other non published designs for the cover of the book helped to guide the direction of the design for the cover created. Delving more into the content of the book itself lended some context into the subject of the book. A Brief History of Time is written in a way that makes extremely complicated and complex theories and equations seem simple and easy to understand. These theories, presented by Hawking, centre around the Big Bang, black holes and the expansion of space. Looking into these theories provided a good range of design ideas to experiment and develop onwards, relevant to the context of the book.
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OUGD503
Penguin Book
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Charlotte Price
IDEAS After referring back to the contextual research into the content of the book, I was able to sketch some more specific designs relating to the themes and theories presented by Hawking. I was inspired by the scientific genre of the book and after realising how much work and specific equations and mathematics had gone into realising the theories, I began to look at diagrams and data representation. As well as this, minimalist design was researched into which compliments data representation well. As data can be complicated, a simplistic design is needed so as to not confuse the viewer.
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The Phenomenal International Bestseller
‘The most brilliant British scientist of his generation’ - New Statesman
Taking these ideas and research into account alongside reference images, some clear design Was there a beginning of time? Could time run ideas formed.backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are some of the questions The first design focuses on just the concept of red considered in the internationally acclaimed and blue shift, where expansion of the universe masterpiece by one of the world’s greatest thinkers. is observed through colours first It begins by reviewingofthelightwaves, great theories as of the observed by Edward cosmos fromHubble. Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time – from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral The second and more successful idea is more of a galaxies and string theory.To this day A Brief History generalisationofof space, illustration ourandsolar Time remains aan staple of the scientificof canon, its and clear language continues to introduce system. Whilesuccinct the illustration style and layout was millions to the universe and its wonders. successful, the concept seemed too general and
obvious.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME FROM THE BIG BANG TO BLACK HOLES
'This book marries a child’s wonder to a genius’s intellect. We journey into Hawking’s universe, while marvelling at his mind’ - Sunday Times
I S B N 978-0-857-50100-4
9
780857 501004
£7.99 ebook & audio available
w w w. p e ng u i n.co.u k
STEPHEN HAWKING
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OUGD503
Penguin Book
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Charlotte Price
D E V E LO P M E N T During the design for the second book cover a successful style was discovered. In establishing a successful style and layout of the elements on the cover of design idea 2, the style could be used again and translated across onto design idea 3. Following the same structure and design process, the final idea was formulated. The abstract line illustration for the final cover was created in Illustrator. Originally intended to be a monochrome cover, the design progressed until the complimenting colours were added to make the cover pop.
OUGD503
Penguin Book
Charlotte Price
FINAL The final cover created for A Brief History of Time takes one of the theories within the book itself and represents it in a more abstract way. A black hole is an imploding star, a point in the universe where all matter, light and even time are sucked into the event horizon. The illustration on the cover represents this occurence, with all lines leading to the hole in the centre of cover. The thin strokes of the lines echo the simple style of data representation and minimalist design found in earlier research. The use of an electric blue and gold contrast agaisnt the dark grey of the background and the colour palette resembles space and stars. The layout and composition of the cover, as determined in development on a previous idea works well to showcase the abstract illustration whilst still keeping a contemporary aesthetic to the design. The text, a bold typeface suits the modern and clean cover, and adjusting the subheadings and titles to match the colours within the illustration makes for a cohesive and elegant cover.
OUGD503
Penguin Book
Charlotte Price