20 Walks in Manchester Book Cover | Hand-Drawn City Illustration

Hand-drawn book cover for 20 Walks in Manchester, celebrating the city’s architecture, culture and vibrancy through bold colour and illustration.

20 Walks in Manchester — Book Cover Illustration

This book cover for 20 Walks in Manchester was created in response to an AOI brief and celebrates the city as vibrant, cultural and full of character, rather than leaning into the familiar clichés of grey skies and rain.

Concept and Approach

While Manchester is often associated with wet weather, my intention was to reflect the energy, warmth and richness of the city as experienced on foot. Walking through Manchester reveals layers of history, architecture and community, and I wanted the cover to capture that sense of discovery and movement.

The illustration brings together recognisable landmarks and cultural touchstones, including buildings and statues encountered along a walk — such as the Pankhurst statue and the city’s libraries — woven into a single, cohesive visual narrative. Rather than presenting one fixed location, the cover suggests a journey through the city.

Colour Palette and Mood

I deliberately chose a bold palette of pink, yellow and orange to challenge expectations and communicate optimism, creativity and warmth. These colours reflect the spirit of Manchester itself — resilient, expressive and culturally alive — and invite the reader to see the city through a more joyful lens.

The vibrancy of the colours contrasts with the idea of rain, reinforcing the message that Manchester’s character shines regardless of the weather.

Hand-Drawn Technique

All elements were drawn by hand, allowing the illustration to feel personal, human and rooted in lived experience. The hand-drawn lines and textures echo the idea of walking — imperfect, organic and exploratory — and create a sense of connection between the reader and the city.

Conceptual Intent

This cover was designed to appeal to both locals and visitors, positioning Manchester as a place to be explored slowly and attentively. It invites the reader to step into the city with curiosity and openness, discovering beauty in its streets, buildings and stories.

The result is a cover that feels celebratory, accessible and full of life, reflecting Manchester not just as a location, but as an experience.