Book Design: Hero / Villain

When acclaimed Scottish author Mark Eglinton approached us to name and design the cover for his latest book, which explores the controversial figure Craig Wright, who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the inventor of Bitcoin. He is a figure who divides opinion sharply. Some view him as a pioneering hero, while others see him as a villainous fraud. Capturing this duality became the central challenge in creating the book's title and cover.

The title "Hero/Villain" was carefully chosen to reflect the polarized perceptions of Craig Wright. To some, Wright is a hero—an innovator who revolutionized the world of digital currency. To others, he is a villain—someone whose claims are seen as deceptive and self-serving. This dichotomy is central to understanding Wright's story, making "Hero/Villain" an apt title that encapsulates the essence of the narrative Mark Eglinton presents.

To visually convey the complex identity of Craig Wright, I collaborated with the award-winning artist and illustrator Heath Kane, whose work often uses masks as a powerful symbol to explore themes of wealth and identity. Together, we developed a cover design that visually represents Wright as both a hero and a villain, using the imagery of superhero and supervillain masks.

The final cover features a split portrait of Craig Wright, with one side of his face adorned with a hero's mask and the other with a villain's mask. This design effectively communicates the dual nature of Wright's public persona, inviting readers to explore the multifaceted story within the book.

To further emphasize the theme of duality, we produced a limited-edition version of the book. This edition features the hero mask on the front cover and the villain mask on the back cover, providing a tangible representation of the two conflicting views of Wright's character.

To support the book’s launch, we developed a strategic campaign that included a competition offering signed, limited-edition prints from Heath Kane. This initiative, promoted through a series of targeted social media posts, leveraged Heath's existing audience and generated significant interest in the book. The campaign successfully engaged readers and sparked discussions around the controversial figure of Craig Wright.