New covers for some sci-fi and fantasy classics

Harper Collins is to release a set of classic science fiction and fantasy books with illustrated cloth-bound covers. 

Neuromancer: design and illustration by Clare Skeats

Titles include The Hobbit, I Robot, Assassin’s Apprentice, and A Game of Thrones.

Harper Collins senior art director Alice Moore commissioned illustrator Clare Skeats to design and illustrate a set of eight books from the Harper Collins Voyager list.

I Robot: design and illustration by Clare Skeats
The Hobbit: design and illustration by in house team, art direction by Alice Moore

Moore says, ‘I wanted to get somebody who doesn’t work on the science fiction and fantasy genre – Claire normally does quite high-end literary packages.

‘Sci-fi titles can often be very commercial looking and feature old-fashioned looking illustration.’

I Robot: design and illustration by Clare Skeats
Neuromancer: design and illustration by Clare Skeats

For each title Moore worked with Harper Collins’ editorial teams to establish a concept and brief for each title, which Skeats could interpret.

For Once and Future King ‘we wanted something based on the sword and the stone, so found photos around that theme and passed them to Clare who then commissioned Joe McLaren’

The Hobbit: design and illustration by in house team, art directed by Alice Moore
I Robot: design and illustration by Clare Skeats

The books will comprise a collectable set aimed at fans and target a new audience.

Moore says, ‘Each has its own identity but they feel like a set because of the finishes and the spines; they look unified when their beautiful cloth spines are facing out.’

The Hobbit: design and illustration by in house team, art directed by Alice Moore
Farenheit 451: design and illustration by Clare Skeats

The Hobbit has already been published, (to coincide with the release of The Hobbit film) and the other seven titles will be published in March.

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