Anniversary Albums
A collection of custom albums created for my girlfriend every year for our anniversary!
2021
This project began as a one off for our first anniversary. At the time I was still in college and just beginning to get familiar with illustrator. I took some Inspiration from Blonde by Frank Ocean. While the similarity was there, It lacked that distinct rectangle upright image and the subtle textured off-white background. The back cover was completely original as I was not as dedicated to the source material. If you look close, you can see an early version of the CHD logo
Album Front Cover
Blonde by Frank Ocean, 2016. Designed by Wolfgang Tillmans
2022
As we move to the next year, The idea of continuing this as a series becomes a reality. The project was a perfect way to practice my skills and create a personal intimate gift for the person I love. I chose An Evening with Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak a.k.a Silk Sonic. I focused my effort into better recreating the exact styles and fonts that this album contained. Font research and heavy illustrative editing produced a cover that closely resembles its inspiration. The texture was troublesome as the exact sandpaper/card stock-ish was basically unattainable at the time. Even harder than that, was finding reference for the back of the album. After countless hours of searching, I was able to locate a very blurry, very small picture.
Album Front Cover
Album Back Cover
An Evening with Silk Sonic By Silk Sonic, 2021.
2023
Year three sees a similar outcome but with the added bonus of the subtle grain that this seemingly flat vector has. While this seems like it was the easiest one yet, the amount of detail and easter eggs placed in this design makes quite the opposite. This album is special to me because its tour was the first concert I went to. If you have never listened to this album, or any of the others on this list, I highly recommend it. These album designs and playlist are filled with diverse genres that are sure to have something for everyone.
Album Front Cover
Album Back Cover
The Never Story by J.I.D, 2017.
2024
Named Capricorn Rights as a play on both the name of the reference album and her astrological sign. This is the first one created exclusively in photoshop. Blending the use of masking and heavy color mixing. This album presented a very interesting challenge of matching the very edited reference. Some things to note in the design is the down turned horns that represent the horns of the Sea goat, the animal for the Capricorn sign.
Album Front Cover
Album Back Cover
Gemini Rights by Steve Lacy, 2022.
2025
The fifth and final installment of one of my favorite projects to work on. Titled “Fifth Anniversary” is based on one of our favorite bands, Free Nationals and their the debut album of the same name. This album seems like the most simple to recreate but in reality, this was one of the most time consuming and tedious designs of the entire series. the custom handwritten scripted used in the original album is not a font that I can find, i had to recreate it using a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator to match the painted look of the original.
Album Front Cover
Album Back Cover
Free Nationals by Free Nationals, 2019
This project has been one of the best experiences I’ve had as a designer.I have gotten to use my knowledge and ability to show someone that I care about the most just how much they mean to me. although this has come to and end. Something new will take its place.
