2024
2024

Hijack

I collaborated with IEEE Spectrum on Hijack, creating a series of custom illustrations for a hard science-fiction story centred on a planet-sized computer. The work brought its vast environments, speculative technology and characters to life through detailed visual storytelling. After publication, I independently revisited the project and explored how parts of its world could extend into interactive digital experiences.

Credits: Art Direction Brandon Palacio / Creative Direction Mark Montgomery

Illustration, Interactive

Illustration, Interactive

IEEE Spectrum Hijack illustration showing a molten orange planet embedded with mechanical structures, floating in deep purple space.
IEEE Spectrum Hijack illustration showing a molten orange planet embedded with mechanical structures, floating in deep purple space.
IEEE Spectrum Hijack illustration showing a molten orange planet embedded with mechanical structures, floating in deep purple space.
IEEE Spectrum Hijack sci-fi illustration showing a person overlooking a vast artificial landscape inside a giant space structure, with planets, rings and cosmic machinery.
IEEE Spectrum Hijack sci-fi illustration showing a person overlooking a vast artificial landscape inside a giant space structure, with planets, rings and cosmic machinery.
IEEE Spectrum Hijack sci-fi illustration showing a person overlooking a vast artificial landscape inside a giant space structure, with planets, rings and cosmic machinery.

CONTEXT

The story explored the strange consequences of a machine operating at planetary scale, moving between immense environments, speculative technology and more human themes of identity, paranoia and disconnection. The illustrations needed to connect these elements across the series while giving the story a distinct and believable visual world.

APPROACH

I developed a visual language that combined technology, scale and science-fiction storytelling, using surreal compositions, distorted figures and layered environmental detail to carry the mood of the story. I later used selected artworks as the basis for self-initiated interactive studies, exploring how movement, sound and interaction could offer another way to experience the world beyond the original editorial commission.

CONTEXT

The story explored the strange consequences of a machine operating at planetary scale, moving between immense environments, speculative technology and more human themes of identity, paranoia and disconnection. The illustrations needed to connect these elements across the series while giving the story a distinct and believable visual world.

APPROACH

I developed a visual language that combined technology, scale and science-fiction storytelling, using surreal compositions, distorted figures and layered environmental detail to carry the mood of the story. I later used selected artworks as the basis for self-initiated interactive studies, exploring how movement, sound and interaction could offer another way to experience the world beyond the original editorial commission.

CONTEXT

The story explored the strange consequences of a machine operating at planetary scale, moving between immense environments, speculative technology and more human themes of identity, paranoia and disconnection. The illustrations needed to connect these elements across the series while giving the story a distinct and believable visual world.

APPROACH

I developed a visual language that combined technology, scale and science-fiction storytelling, using surreal compositions, distorted figures and layered environmental detail to carry the mood of the story. I later used selected artworks as the basis for self-initiated interactive studies, exploring how movement, sound and interaction could offer another way to experience the world beyond the original editorial commission.

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