Context
This project was created to design a music poster and accompanying vinyl packaging for an album by a composer chosen by the instructor. My subject was Marc Lalonde and his album The Christiania Sound Harvesting Experiment, composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Christiania, a free and artistic neighborhood in Copenhagen.
Challenge
The main challenge was figuring out how to turn experimental music into something visual. There were no lyrics or clear story to lean on, so I had to really listen until I could feel the rhythm, mood, and energy well enough to start designing. Christiania’s bold and creative atmosphere helped guide the visual direction, with its graffiti, street art, and free-spirited vibe. Even though there wasn’t much info about Marc Lalonde himself, the album gave me everything I needed to build from.
Process
I began by exploring mark making to respond to the sound of the album. The music felt layered and emotional, so I used loose, expressive gestures to capture rhythm and mood rather than literal imagery. After testing different directions, I ended up with two poster concepts: one built from bold brush strokes, the other using abstract floral forms. The flowers felt lighter, more vibrant, and better matched the open, playful energy of Christiania and the tone of the music, so I followed that direction.
Final Design
The final poster uses floral mark makings to express the emotion and rhythm of the album. The layered, organic forms reflect the free, unpredictable structure of the music, while the bold colors connect to Christiania’s vibrant, artistic energy. This visual approach was extended to the vinyl packaging, using the same floral imagery on the cover for consistency. Inside, a clean layout presents the album info, and spot varnish on the flowers adds a subtle tactile layer, echoing the texture and depth of the sound itself.
