HARPER COLLINS

CREATIVE: Sophie Donaj
CLIENT: Harper Collins
ROLE: 2D Illustration

Sophie Donaj brings her signature bold linework and cinematic character work to the cover of Emily Hamilton's Ascendancy, the first entry in an epic queer cyberpunk space opera trilogy. Against a sweeping backdrop of deep space blues, pink atmospheric haze, and a ringed gas giant looming overhead, Smid renders protagonist Neev with striking presence, sword slung over her shoulder, freckled and unyielding, every detail communicating defiance and depth. The illustration bridges genre fiction and fine art, channeling the book's themes of transhumanism, anarchy, and blazing romance into a single image that stops you cold before you've read a single word.