The outcomes of this competition require a full designed book cover for any of three titles, in the categories Adult Fiction, Adult Non-Fiction and Children’s Fiction. I elected to focus my efforts on only the Adult Non-Fiction category, and work with ‘A Brief History of Time’.

That format I have developed is a photographic image of a blackboard displaying hand-drawn type. This is reminiscent of the blackboard Hawking would have once used and been taught from whilst studying at Oxford/Cambridge. This approach comes from inspiration gained in David Pearson’s aforementioned lecture, in which I was inspired by his aversions to using image in his work, prioritising type.

Through my research I discovered that Hawking’s dissertation from the University of Cambridge has recently been made publicly available online in PDF form. This has aided my development to this point and has highlighted the possibility of including factual equations relating to his research — in his own handwriting, creating a more realistic yet creative tone for the cover whilst providing a nod to his process.

Shortly after my work was submitted it was announced that Dr. Stephen Hawking had passed away, age 76. From my research into this unique man and his life’s work I am now much more aware of this now historical figure, I hope that this body of work can be a tribute to him and his achievements. I am happier knowing that I have included Hawking’s handwriting, so that the cover contains some small part of him.