Sleeve layout, label design and custom typeface for the “Eternal Children” album by Equiknoxx. This is the first vocal album from the critically acclaimed Jamaican collective to be released on their own label Equiknoxx Music.

The clients had a very clear idea of how they wanted the artwork for their first vocal album to look and feel, their aim was to show their audience a rough but real sketch of how they view themselves as Eternal Children. Equiknoxx member Bobby Blackbird provided some beautiful hand drawn sketches on burlap fabric which became the main motifs for the front and back sleeve. A sketch of the five Equiknoxx members as children graces the front of the sleeve, with heart and hands sketches on the reverse resulting in a sincere piece coming from the hearts of the five Equiknoxx members through the hands of Bobby.

Inspired by Bobby’s sketches I designed a hand drawn font which was sincere yet full of character to echo the personalities of the Eternal Children. This custom typeface complements the sketches and adds the finishing touches to the 12” sleeve.

Client: Equiknoxx

Cover art for "Mask On Riddim" a riddim release EP presented by Epic B and Swing Ting released on the Swing Ting label in March 2019.

The clients wanted the artwork to incorporate a mask element alongside the riddim name, plus the featured artists. I created an illustrated mask motif and worked it into a bold type lockup to reflect the feel of the release. By adding a dark palette with bright yellow highlights I feel the cover represents the dark elements of the riddim yet is still in keeping with Swing Ting’s and Epic B’s aesthetics.

The release pack also featured a 1minute animated teaser video to help promote the release on social media. The teaser features snippets of the four vocal tracks on the release with each artist’s name and track title bouncing to the beat, plus scratch illustrations announcing the arrival of a new track.

Client: Swing Ting

Redesign of the annual "Soca Gold" compilation celebrating

Redesign of the annual “Soca Gold” compilation celebrating the biggest tunes from Trinidad Carnival. This brief was to recreate an existing record cover using a handmade process. The aim of the redesign was to reflect the essence of the record.

Inspired by the work of Tony Mc Dermott (who is famous for designing a huge collection of reggae, dancehall and soca covers) and the Trini phrase “liming” my aim was to reflect the spirit of soca music through the medium of lino cutting and the use of colour. I developed a custom typeface by lino cutting each unique letterform and used adobe creative suite to create my final layout and add colour to bring my record cover to life.

Client: Student Brief

Cover art for "Going Modd" a collaboration between gqom champion DJ Lag and FDM pioneer Epic B released on the Swing Ting label in November 2018.

The client wanted the artwork to reflect the feel of the track which combines sounds of Durban and Brownsville. Inspired by track’s hypnotic sound I created a type lock up which illustrates its movement.

The EP artwork pack also included an animated version of the cover which was used to promote the release on the Swing Ting and artist social media channels.

Client: Swing Ting

7" label design for the vinyl release of the Swing Ting edits of "Braver" by Alexx A Game. The brief was to design a set of labels that would complement the edits featured on the release.

Braver is a personal favourite of mine and the first vinyl release on the Swing Ting label so the design had to be special. I developed hand rendered lettering that was bold and brave and which I felt fit the strong, emotional vocal from Alexx A Game. The first pressing of the release was so popular it was repressed with a new yellow version of the label in January 2018.

Client: Swing Ting 

Cover art for the "Musik" EP by Fox which was a digital release on Manchester's Swing Ting label.

The brief was to create a cover which was eye catching with the artist Fox as the main focus.

Talented photographer Louis Reynolds captured Fox perfectly in this portrait and I worked closely with Fox and Swing Ting to ensure the text and layout complemented the photography and captured the spirit and the sound of the EP.

Client: Swing Ting

Cover art for the digital version of "Fly Away", a single by Equiknoxx Music featuring Alozade and Gavsborg which was released in 2017 on the Swing Ting record label.

The clients requested the artwork for this release should feel part of the same family as past Swing Ting and Equiknoxx releases "Tease Me" and "Bubble". I followed the same design process by creating a type based cover with the title of the track being the main focus of the EP artwork. The EP artwork pack also included an animated version of the cover which was used to promote the release on the client's social media accounts.

The digital release was so popular the track was pressed on 7” vinyl, with the brief extending to include the design of the label featuring the Fly Away motif.

Client: Swing Ting

Visual identity for Swing Ting and Hipsters Don’t Dance present Daylight Ravings; a one off collaboration event at Ace Hotel Rooftop.

The clients wanted the visuals to illustrate that this event would be a unique daytime clubbing experience, and hint at the club and soundsystem sounds the djs would be playing at the party.

Inspired by the typography and layout of vintage reggae posters I combined bold text with bright vibrant colours with speaker stack motifs to create the poster, flyer and social media assets to promote the party.

Client: Swing Ting / Hipsters don’t Dance

Cover art for the "Tease Me" EP by Samrai & Platt featuring Kemikal which was a digital release on Manchester's Swing Ting label.

The brief was to create a type based cover, with the title of the track being the main focus of the artwork.

My aim was to design a cover that illustrated the title but that wasn’t too suggestive. Inspired by Jamaica’s hand painted signs and vocalist Kemikal’s flow on the track I created a hand rendered type lockup using brush pens. I developed the concept further on screen using Adobe illustrator.

Client: Swing Ting