Designing a series to celebrate cultural icons

Hardie Grant Books commissioned us to design books in their 50 Who Changed the World series — bold, illustrated tributes to figures who have shaped culture across music, performance, and beyond. Titles we designed include 50 Drag Queens Who Changed the World and 50 Rappers Who Changed the World.

We created cover and internal designs that balance series continuity with subject-specific detail. Each book uses striking type, bold colour, and impactful layouts to reflect the energy of its cultural field while maintaining a recognisable “50” series identity.

This vibrant celebration pays tribute to drag icons from RuPaul and Divine to Bianca Del Rio and Victoria Sin. Our design mirrored the individuality and glamour of drag, giving each profile space to shine while keeping the book cohesive as part of the series.

Written by music journalist Candice McDuffie, this book charts rap’s journey from the 1970s to today, featuring pioneers and global superstars. We designed the cover using gold-foiled frames to hold Michele Rosenthal’s portraits, paired with bold typography and a subtle nod to the parental advisory label. Inside, bold introductory spreads and illustrated profiles combine to reflect the energy and attitude of rap culture.

The 50 Who Changed the World series creates accessible, celebratory guides that bring influential figures to new audiences, each book designed to feel both collectible and culturally relevant.