NINA SIMONE Crafting a Bestseller

A Note About Our Most Popular Print Of 2021

The inspiration for the Jazz & Soul collection came from a combination of the visual language of old, iconic Jazz records, using block images split into grids with bold typography, typically found on historic gig posters from the time. And, of course, a deep resonance with the music.

The entire collection of Jazz posters took only 3 days to design & 1 day to prepare the files for print and promotion. Initially inspired by a painting I had seen of a Jazz musician which captured the energy and power of the music, I was captivated to create a series on two of my favourite genres of music; Jazz & Soul.

Creating an original collection of work for commercial consumption can vary significantly in the time it takes and the amount of work involved — luckily, this one came together very quickly. I think the effortlessness of the design played a part in its success; nothing has been overworked or contrived. A couple of ideas and sketches, some research into old music posters and vinyl records and I got to work.

As a designer, my work has always been a very intuitive process, rooted in iteration and experimentation; I always aim to start with a strong idea and then feel my way through until I land on an execution that works!

I firmly believe, as has been my education & experience over many years, that the best designs result from great ideas — that is no less the story here. Of course, I can not take all the credit; the success of this collection is intrinsically linked to the genius of the music & icons that it represents, who came many years before me.

The thing about art is that it is all about emotion; the overwhelming popularity of this collection stems directly from the very concept that defines the genre it is based on — Soul. People feel in their soul the nostalgia, happiness, sadness, love, hate; whatever it is — the poster is just a vehicle in communicating a reminder about the individual connection they already had; to a favourite melody, riff, or lyric.

So thank you for the music — Nina, Otis, Louis, Billie, Thelonious, B.B. Ella, Miles, Charlie & Nat and the inspiration.

Nina Simone

Nico Tracey

JAZ009

Billie Holiday

Nico Tracey

JAZ002

Louis Armstrong

Nico Tracey

JAZ004