CHARACTER ILLUSTRATION STYLE
    01
    The client brief
    Ok so this one's not a client... but a design competition that our team enter, it keeps things exciting in the studio and allows us to keep a hand in on the latest trends. 

    How it works... Secret 7” takes 7 tracks from 7 of the best-known musicians around and presses each one 100 times to 7” vinyl. They then invite creatives from around the world to interpret the tracks in their own style for every 7”. 700 unique sleeves are exhibited before going on sale on a first come, first served basis priced at £50 each. You don’t know who has created the sleeve, or even which song it’s for, until you have parted with your cash - the secret lies within.

    Plus, it all raises money for charity, which of course we love!
    02
    The creative response
    Our designers submitted a few varying designs, amongst thousands of others and we were so delighted to find out our design for John Lennon's Imagine was chosen as a winner.

    The design for this cover was kept simplistic but impactful using a stylised illustration.
    03
    The client response
    "It's our pleasure tell you that your art will be on the John Lennon sleeve in our show!

    A huge thanks from us for getting involved, we simply couldn’t make this show happen without your effort, enthusiasm and skills."

    Secret 7
    04
    Working it out
    We focused on the musical element of the song and the idea that the musical score was likely to be one of the most famous in the world. 

    This was our starting point, we had to take out the references to the song in writing, but left the rest there as a little clue for those in the know. 

    The piano playing hands were illustrated and manipulated to create a striking visual effect and these were layered over the song sheet as if they were directly playing the music.

    We wanted it to feel like the music was playing right off the page and evoke a strong feeling of emotion.
    05
    Did good things happen...
    Of course - this initiative raises money for worthy charities and with our designs they did just that... we love getting involved every year. 

    You'll see some of other unchosen designs displayed on this page too.
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