mandate

This project focused on designing a concert poster and vinyl record set extension for Parrhesiastes, an album by John Zorn.

Design thinking

John Zorn is an American composer and saxophonist known for his genre-defying music, blending jazz, classical, rock, and avant-garde influences. A central figure in the New York un-derground scene, his work is marked by bold experimentation and improvisation, pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.

design making

I was inspired while walking around the city and listening to John Zorn’s album. I noticed a blend of flowing sounds and repetitive patterns, which mirrored the contrast between chaos and structure. This duality inspired my design approach, where I sought to combine dynamic, free-flowing elements with repetitive motifs to visually capture the essence of Zorn’s intricate compositions.

poster

For the John Zorn poster, Photoshop was used to create organic visual elements, with shapes that allowed for interesting forms within the negative space, symbolizing Zorn’s boundary-pushing approach to music. Halftones were incorporated to add depth and complexity. The typography was chosen for its verticality, creating a sense of structure and rhythm.

vinyl

Taking inspiration from Zorn’s deep connection to New York’s underground music scene, the vinyl set’s case features a black monochromatic design, creating a stark contrast with the inside jackets. The jackets isolate sections of the original poster, emphasizing the halftone textures while incorporating circular elements that echo the physical shape of the vinyl itself. This design approach reinforces the raw, experimental nature of Zorn’s work while maintain-ing a cohesive visual language across the project.