The Heinlein Journal publishes academic studies on the works of Robert A. Heinlein, science fiction’s Grandmaster. Founded in 1997 by Heinlein scholar and biographer William H. Patterson, Jr., the journal has featured papers by historians, academics, and even other science fiction authors, such as Gregory Benford, David Brin, and Spider Robinson.

I proposed to redesign the publication to reinforce its status as an established and respected source of research and scholarship. I also endeavored to illustrate each article, which hitherto hadn’t been the norm.

Heinlein was active in the mid to late 20th century, so I favored a rustic and retro aesthetic for many of the original illustrations, referencing some of the styles of the decades in question.

I don’t get to exercise my illustration chops very often, so this publication is always a fun project to work on.

For a piece written about two Heinlein characters in two separate books — both named Mike and both messianic in nature — I referenced the cover of Heinlein’s popular Stranger in a Strange Land (with original artist James Warhola’s permission) for one character, then created the other one — a sentient computer — in the same style.

I was honored for this project to be chosen as 1 of only 6 winners in the Editorial category the most exclusive major design competition in the world — Communication Arts Design Annual 62.