Dead Reeds Album Artwork

For The Dead Reeds' second album artwork, I aimed to capture the essence of their music and growth as a band. The peacock, a recurring motif from their first album, symbolizes beauty and pride. Combining this with the tree of life, as suggested the lead singer, was a stroke of inspiration. The tree of life represents growth, strength, and interconnectedness—all themes that resonate with the band's journey.

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Initially, the design was intended to mimic an old leather notebook, tying into the lead singers songwriting process. However, I felt that adding teal colours to represent the peacock's vibrant plumage would enhance the visual impact. This decision not only brought the peacock to life but also strengthened the concept of the peacock feeding into the tree of life.

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The illustrations were a blend of analog and digital techniques, using analog sketches and Procreate for initial drawing, and Adobe Illustrator for refining and bringing the project to life. Bringing all these elements together in Photoshop, I finalized the artwork with an embossed leather effect, adding a another dimension to the design. The final result embodies The Dead Reeds' evolution and the thematic depth of their music, making it a compelling visual representation of their second album.