Seven Churches Music Promo Package
Objective
Re-design the cover for an existing album using motifs from the music. Then, translate this design into print marketing and an item of merchandise. The final print will be done in an analog style using a Risograph printer.
Dimensions
Album Cover 8" x 8"; Poster 8-1/2" x 11"; Patch 3" x 3"
Design Process
Research
A re-imagining of death metal band Possessed’s 1985 album, Seven Churches. The album’s name refers to the Seven Churches of Asia in Christian mythology (book of Revelations). The demonic hellmouth on the cover is a reference to illustrations of the apocalypse from the Middle Ages (Val Dieu Apocalypse). The churches rising from the flames of the hellmouth, are inspired by the lyric, “seven churches rise from hell” from the titular song. The most well-known song from this album is “The Exorcist,” inspired by 1973 horror film. The type reflects this idea as it is reworked from the original logo and album art using the typeface, Gemini. This speaks to the sub-cultural influence that the album has as genre-defining death metal. The final re-design is illustrated digitally.
Logotype
The most well-known song from this album is “The Exorcist,” inspired by 1973 horror film. The type reflects this idea as it is reworked from the original logo and album art using the typeface, Gemini.
Risograph Poster
The design was formatted to create a three-color risograph poster. The digital illustration is monotone red, however the poster is intended to evoke punk and metal show posters from the 80s and 90s that use black and white Xerox printing. The flames in the hellmouth and on the logo red and yellow to maintain unity between the elements.
Patch Design
The design was adapted to a small patch. Patches are a popular item of merchandise in the metal community that are placed on "battle vests." They are a document of the wearer's favorite bands, albums, or shows that they have attended. This piece worked best as a color printed patch since it is album art and not simply a logo.
Reflection
This project combined analog design and print media with digital illustration. One challenge I faced was to recreate Possessed's logo in a way that connected with the album while staying true to the feeling of the original logo.
Thank you!