MATERIALS
ivory linen book cloth
ARTWORK
Matte black iron-on vinyl
Red iron-on foil
BINDING
full cloth cased binding with repurposed adhesive-bound text block
C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy is an unusual collision of science fiction, medieval cosmology, mythology, and Christian philosophy. I wanted the books' physical design to reflect that intersection without relying on traditional science-fiction illustration.
The collection draws from mid-century modernism, using a restrained palette of ivory, black, and red to create something simultaneously vintage and contemporary.
Each cover uses abstract astronomical geometry to interpret the character of its story: an eclipsed planetary form for Out of the Silent Planet, concentric waves interrupted by a diagonal for Perelandra, and an imposing black wedge for That Hideous Strength.
The illustrations are rendered in matte black vinyl against ivory linen book cloth, with glossy red foil introducing contrast and a tactile quality that changes with the light. Typography, volume numbering, and planetary symbols establish a consistent visual system across the covers, spines, and backs.
The design extends into the books' interior details and a matching slipcase, treating the collection as a single object rather than three separately decorated volumes.
The goal was to create a set that feels at home in Lewis's era while remaining distinctly modern—books that are as satisfying to hold, open, and display as they are to read.
