“I
AM” CAMPAIGN / GEORGE MICHAEL TRIBUTE
This campaign introduces one of the greatest pop stars to today’s generation through the lens of the new generation, Gen Z. George Michael was much more than a pretty face; he was an icon, a philanthropist, and an inspiration. This serves as an introduction of George Michael to a generation that already values self-expression and self-acceptance, highlighting how fortunate we are to live in today’s world and how far we’ve come as a society. It’s time for the reappraisal of this unsung hero.
GROUP MEMBERS: Sara Jane Wentworth, Reilly Kelly
01
INSTAGRAM CAROUSEL
Collage made from magazine cut-outs and prints turned digital.
MORE COLLATERAL
T-SHIRT
CALENDAR
EDITION
INSTAGRAM STORY
LIMITED
VINYL
IDEATION
CAMPAIGN LOGO
ICON SET: ART
An icon set can be thought of like a font: a group of icons designed to work together in a project to create visual unity. Icons are a powerful form of visual communication and can be used for a variety of purposes including website and mobile app design, UI design, social media, and more. Sticking to my roots as a fine artist, I sought to create an art-themed icon set.
02
03 THE STRANGER BOOK COVER
A modern redesign for the classic literary French novel, The
by
Designing a new cover for an old classic comes with its complexities: the aim is to craft a design that is both enticing and modern to attract new readers, while also ensuring it doesn't estrange those who cherish the familiarity of the original cover.
Stranger Albert Camus.THE STRANGER BOOK COVER
IDEATION
ORIGINAL COVER (1989)
04
TRUCKER HAT
STORE DISPLAY
TRUCKER HAT
TOTE BAG
SAM'S SWEET CHILI SAUCE
TRADE SHOW BOOTH
05
2032 SUMMER OLYMPICS
For over 100 years, the modern Olympics have served as a symbol of global unity and national pride. As the 5th largest city in the U.S. (and continuing to grow), Phoenix would make an excellent choice for an Olympic host. This website is a proposal to host the 2032 Summer Olympics in Phoenix, Arizona. The intent is to generate leads and create buzz for the event, along with informing viewers about what makes Phoenix, Arizona an eligible option.
2032 SUMMER OLYMPICS
LOGO/ELEMENTS
WEBSITE
BRAND IDENTITY: SOIL DE SOL
Soil de Sol, meaning “sun soil,” is a fictitious farm located in Laveen, Arizona. I was assigned with developing the visual identity and brand elements for the company, along with establishing their online presence.
06
SOIL DE SOL COLLATERAL
INSTAGRAM PINTEREST
PRIMARY LOGO
Soil de sol
WEBSITE
Soil de sol Soil de sol
Soil de sol Soil de sol
A SOLDIER, A BEAR, & A BOY BOOK COVER
The 100th anniversary of the original Winnie the Pooh story has arrived, marking its transition into the public domain. A Soldier, A Bear, and A Boy is a novel that revisits this timeless tale. Ursine Publications has commissioned an embossed book cover and dust flap for this commemorative edition.
07
A SOLDIER, A BEAR, & A BOY BOOK COVER
IDEATION EMBOSSED COVER
DUST FLAP
FULLY
The Grand Collective is a student-run project that originated from GCU’s Worship Arts program in 2021. The work behind the project is truly a collective and collaborative process, drawing creative input from student musicians, designers, photographers, and more. I was tasked with transforming the designed album for the event into a website.
KNOWN WEBSITE 0 8
INFOGRAPHIC: DEFORESTATION
An infographic poster is a visual that presents information through engaging, easily-digestible design and visual graphics. This poster breaks down the negative impacts that derive from deforestation.
09
FLOATING LIGHTS FESTIVAL 10
Floating Lights is a fictitious water lantern festival held nationally within the United States. This campaign highlights its Sacramento-based event. This commemorative event design includes merchandise and branding for the festival.
FLOATING LIGHTS MEMORABILIA
IDEATION
T-SHIRT
TOTE BAG
EVENT WRISTBAND
STICKER PACK
WONKA CHOCOLATE
Ferrero ordered a redesign for their Wonka chocolate bar. This redesign introduces a luxurious feel to the nostalgic Wonka chocolate.
11
IDEATION
TYPE LOGO
CACAO BEAN
BACK SIDE
MAGAZINE: MUSICIANS CANVAS
Musicians Canvas provides an in depth look into the creation process of album art. This magazine includes exclusive interviews with musicians and takes a deeper dive into the meaning of their work.
12
GROUP MEMBERS: Bethany Dunham, Elita Johnson
By Carolyn McCommas
By Carolyn McCommas
“Themes
RECORDS OF REPETITON RECORDSOFREPETITON Album art has been an integral part of the music industry since the very beginning. From the early days of vinyl records to the modern era of digital downloads, album art has always been a key component of how music is packaged and presented to the public. Magazine editors are often tasked with deciding which album art to use for their reviews. But far from being an arbitrary decision, magazine editorialists have discovered that certain visual motifs and techniques are particularly effective at conveying certain messages and feelings. Throughout the history of album art, certain themes and techniques have emerged time and time again, demonstrating the enduring appeal of these creative elements. RECORDSOFREPETITON RECORDS OF REPETITON RECORDS OF REPETITON The Reprise of History RECORDSOFREPETITON ECORDS OF REPETITON R
March 2023 Musicians Canvas 15
Photo: Robin McPherson
16 Musicians Canvas March 2023 The photograph has become one of the most well-known images in music history and has been replicated and parodied countless times over the years. Similarly, the cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” features a photograph of the band members against a stark white background, conveying the emotional turmoil that was present during the recording of the album. Another technique that has been used repeatedly in album art is the use of collage. This technique involves combining different images, textures, and colors to create a visually striking design. The cover of David Bowie’s “Aladdin Sane” is a great example of this, featuring a striking image of Bowie with a lightning bolt across his face, surrounded by a collage of images that represent different aspects of the music on the album. The recurring themes and techniques used in album art can be broken down into three main categories: the use of color, scale, and imagery. First, the use of color is often a key component of album art, serving as both a representation of the music and a stylistic element that ties the artwork to the overall sound of the album. For example, John Coltrane’s “Ascension” uses a vivid orange background with yellow lettering to convey a feeling of joy and optimism. Another common theme in album art is the use of large-scale imagery of natural landscapes or other settings that are reminiscent of the music being described. For example, Radiohead’s “OK Computer” features an aerial view of a vast ocean landscape against a blue sky while Explosions in the Sky’s “The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place” depicts a Album art refers to the visual representation of an album or song in a form of art. As the name suggests, it is meant to visually represent the music in an album or song. Album art can take many different forms, such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and even animations. The choice of how to represent a particular album or song depends on the genre and artist behind it. For example, a pop album might use bright colors and bold lines to communicate energy and excitement where a hip-hop album might use more complex geometric shapes and patterns to convey a fastpaced and dynamic feel. Themes One of the most enduring themes in album art is the use of imagery to represent the music contained within. From the psychedelic images of the 1960s to the grunge-inspired artwork of the 1990s, album covers have often been used to convey the mood and tone of the music they contain. Another common theme in album art is the use of typography to create a unique and memorable design. The stylized fonts used on the covers of albums like The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and The Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” have become iconic in their own right, and have helped to make these albums instantly recognizable to fans all over the world. The use of typography can also be seen in more recent album covers, such as Kanye West’s “Yeezus”, which features a minimalist design with bold, black lettering. Techniques In addition to these recurring themes, certain techniques have also become synonymous with album art over the years. One of the most popular of these techniques is the use of photography to create striking and memorable images. This technique can be seen in the cover of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”, which features the band walking across a zebra crossing. wide-open prairie against an orange sunset. The third recurring theme in album art is the use of symbols or metaphorical imagery to help convey the meaning and emotion behind the music being described. This can take on many forms including animal silhouettes, hands holding musical notes, or even simple geometric shapes such as circles or triangles. All these recurring themes serve to communicate effectively and concisely through visual cues which make each album special and unique. Story-tellers Themes and techniques used in album art can be used to tell a story or express a point of view. One such theme is the use of repetition. Repeating a visual motif or element in an album art can help emphasize the message being conveyed. For example, in the artwork for Bon Iver’s 2010 album “ Bon Iver,” we see the repetition of the letter O in several different forms: as an eye, as a heart, and even as a tree! This motif reinforces the idea that Bon Iver’s music is about the visual search for meaning and connection in the world. Design elements in album art can be used to evoke emotion, convey a mood, and create a strong visual impact. By repeating design elements such as font, color, and shape, artists can create a unified aesthetic that ties the various components of together. This technique can help to define an artist’s identity and create a recognizable brand. As we look back on the history of album art, it is clear that certain themes Photos: cottonbro studio, Tima Miroshnichenko “Themes and techniques used album art can be used to tell a or express a point of and techniques have endured over time. From the use of imagery to represent the music within, to the use of typography, photography, and collage to create striking and memorable designs, album art has always been a key part of how music is presented to the public. While the rise of digital downloads and streaming services have changed the way we consume music, album art remains an important part of the music industry, and we can be sure that new themes and techniques will continue to emerge in the years to come. The history of album art is a rich and fascinating subject, full of recurring themes and techniques that have become synonymous with the music they represent. March 2023 Musicians Canvas 17 14 Musicians Canvas March 2023 14 | Musician’s Canvas | March 2023 RECORDS OF REPETITON RECORDSOFREPETITON Album art has been an integral part of the music industry since the very beginning. From the early days of vinyl records to the modern era of digital downloads, album art has always been a key component of how music is packaged and presented to the public. Magazine editors are often tasked with deciding which album art to use for their reviews. But far from being an arbitrary decision, magazine editorialists have discovered that certain visual motifs and techniques are particularly effective at conveying certain messages and feelings. Throughout the history of album art, certain themes and techniques have emerged time and time again, demonstrating the enduring appeal of these creative elements. RECORDSOFREPETITON RECORDS OF REPETITON RECORDS OF REPETITON The Reprise of History RECORDSOFREPETITON ECORDS OF REPETITON R
March 2023 Musicians Canvas 15
Photo: Robin McPherson
16 Musicians Canvas March 2023 The photograph has become one of the most well-known images in music history and has been replicated and parodied countless times over the years. Similarly, the cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” features a photograph of the band members against a stark white background, conveying the emotional turmoil that was present during the recording of the album. Another technique that has been used repeatedly in album art is the use of collage. This technique involves combining different images, textures, and colors to create a visually striking design. The cover of David Bowie’s “Aladdin Sane” is a great example of this, featuring a striking image of Bowie with a lightning bolt across his face, surrounded by a collage of images that represent different aspects of the music on the album. The recurring themes and techniques used in album art can be broken down into three main categories: the use of color, scale, and imagery. First, the use of color is often a key component of album art, serving as both a representation of the music and a stylistic element that ties the artwork to the overall sound of the album. For example, John Coltrane’s “Ascension” uses a vivid orange background with yellow lettering to convey a feeling of joy and optimism. Another common theme in album art is the use of large-scale imagery of natural landscapes or other settings that are reminiscent of the music being described. For example, Radiohead’s “OK Computer” features an aerial view of a vast ocean landscape against a blue sky while Explosions in the Sky’s “The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place” depicts a Album art refers to the visual representation of an album or song in a form of art. As the name suggests, it is meant to visually represent the music in an album or song. Album art can take many different forms, such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and even animations. The choice of how to represent a particular album or song depends on the genre and artist behind it. For example, a pop album might use bright colors and bold lines to communicate energy and excitement where a hip-hop album might use more complex geometric shapes and patterns to convey a fastpaced and dynamic feel. Themes One of the most enduring themes in album art is the use of imagery to represent the music contained within. From the psychedelic images of the 1960s to the grunge-inspired artwork of the 1990s, album covers have often been used to convey the mood and tone of the music they contain. Another common theme in album art is the use of typography to create a unique and memorable design. The stylized fonts used on the covers of albums like The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and The Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” have become iconic in their own right, and have helped to make these albums instantly recognizable to fans all over the world. The use of typography can also be seen in more recent album covers, such as Kanye West’s “Yeezus”, which features a minimalist design with bold, black lettering. Techniques In addition to these recurring themes, certain techniques have also become synonymous with album art over the years. One of the most popular of these techniques is the use of photography to create striking and memorable images. This technique can be seen in the cover of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”, which features the band walking across a zebra crossing. wide-open prairie against an orange sunset. The third recurring theme in album art is the use of symbols or metaphorical imagery to help convey the meaning and emotion behind the music being described. This can take on many forms including animal silhouettes, hands holding musical notes, or even simple geometric shapes such as circles or triangles. All these recurring themes serve to communicate effectively and concisely through visual cues which make each album special and unique. Story-tellers Themes and techniques used in album art can be used to tell a story or express a point of view. One such theme is the use of repetition. Repeating a visual motif or element in an album art can help emphasize the message being conveyed. For example, in the artwork for Bon Iver’s 2010 album “ Bon Iver,” we see the repetition of the letter O in several different forms: as an eye, as a heart, and even as a tree! This motif reinforces the idea that Bon Iver’s music is about the visual search for meaning and connection in the world. Design elements in album art can be used to evoke emotion, convey a mood, and create a strong visual impact. By repeating design elements such as font, color, and shape, artists can create a unified aesthetic that ties the various components of together. This technique can help to define an artist’s identity and create a recognizable brand. As we look back on the history of album art, it is clear that certain themes Photos: cottonbro studio, Tima Miroshnichenko
and techniques used album art can be used to tell a or express a point of and techniques have endured over time. From the use of imagery to represent the music within, to the use of typography, photography, and collage to create striking and memorable designs, album art has always been a key part of how music is presented to the public. While the rise of digital downloads and streaming services have changed the way we consume music, album art remains an important part of the music industry, and we can be sure that new themes and techniques will continue to emerge in the years to come. The history of album art is a rich and fascinating subject, full of recurring themes and techniques that have become synonymous with the music they represent. March 2023 Musicians Canvas 17