Chill and Jazz at the Lake:

Record Package Design for Roya's "Breath & Being"

Abstract

This project is an album design for Roya's "Breath & Being," created for the Typography II course (DESN 231). This Canadian artist's musical identity is an eclectic mix of styles that makes her songs cheerful and approachable while also alluding to her family roots. The design uses a casual aesthetic to transmit Roya's self-expressive and lively music. One lonely figure sits on the edge of the lake, looking at their reflection in the water, as a metaphor for one's self-observation and desire for connecting with people. Illustrations and text were hand-rendered to communicate self-expression. Elements such as brush strokes and gestural imprints reinforce the idea of a personal mark. These physical textures are also symbolic of musical textures, a fundamental aspect of Roya's work. The use of organic shapes and bright colours make the design whimsical. A touch of orange in the palette provides coziness to counterbalance the cool-toned areas. Ripples in the water are dynamic and perform as visual representations of melody and harmony. They also appear in the center labels as concentric waves emanating from the record. The waves embody the dialogue between the singer and her audience: as the music plays, sound propagates to reach the listeners. The final piece is an engaging scenery that invites listeners to enjoy Roya's art, combining visual rhythm and emotion in allusion to her music.

Department: Design Studies 

Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher