We're proud to share that visuals created by Nick Franco, Founder and CEO of 1185 Films, are featured in the new book "Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins" by astrophysicist Niayesh Afshordi and science communicator Phil Halper, published by the University of Chicago Press.

These striking visuals were originally crafted for the acclaimed YouTube series Before the Big Bang, directed and designed by Nick Franco. The series explored groundbreaking cosmological theories, featuring insights from leading scientists including Stephen Hawking. Nick’s layered, surreal graphic style brought abstract scientific ideas to life, helping audiences visualize the extraordinary concepts at the frontier of physics.

Now, we’re thrilled to see these visuals find a new home in Battle of the Big Bang, a compelling journey through competing theories about the origins of the universe. From bouncing universes and time loops to black hole births and multiverses, the book challenges our deepest assumptions about space, time and reality. It draws on Afshordi’s innovative research and Halper’s engaging interviews with figures such as Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose to ask one of the most profound questions in science: Did the universe have a beginning, or has it existed forever?

The book's launch at London’s Royal Institution on June 28, 2025, brought together scientists, thinkers and the public in a vibrant discussion of these radical ideas, highlighting the powerful connection between storytelling, science, and visual art.

We're honoured that our work contributes to this ongoing conversation at the edge of human knowledge.