Iron Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2022

Now Album Design

by Yijia Xie

A' Design Award 2022 Iron Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
Awarded April 15, 2022
CLIENT: Yijia Xie
Estimated Number of Design Views: 10,609
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About Now Album Design

Now is an album design created for a musician whose six songs tell stories about dreams, growth and love. One meaningful Chinese character is taken from each song title, such as Universe, Rain, Believe, Eyes, Moon and Star. These characters are combined with digital collage and generative coding. The selected elements are entered into a computer program that generates thousands of different graphics, so each package wrap is unique. The square format measures 4.25 by 4.25 inches. The project includes six cover designs, a lyrics book and the album package.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: This album explores the musician's self-awareness, beliefs, truth, and choice. Six songs in the album respectively tell six stories of him about dreams, growth, and love. I explored integrating Chinese characters with modern design in the album design while taking the most meaningful Chinese character in each song title, like Universe, Rain, Believe, Eyes, Moon, Star. Then I experimentally discovered a new creative form merging Chinese characters, collage, and generative coding.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width: 4.25in X Height: 4.25in
Tags: Album Design, Graphic Design, Typography, Generative Coding, Print Design
Production Technology: Print Design / Digital Collage / package design / generative coding
Design Challenge: One of the most challenging parts is combining each Chinese character with the graphics and images to tell a better story.
Project Duration: September 2021 - January 2022
Operation Flow: I inserted the elements separately into computer programming and generated thousands of different new graphics. The generative collages were used on the packaging design for the new album. So everyone receives a unique packaging wrap. Then I fused Yuli's music with these moving collages. I love experimenting with random collisions and producing mint and exciting things. Mixing traditional elements and modern technology delivers surprising outcomes and also brings balance between randomness and order.
Research: This album design is trying to explore a new possibility between Chinese characters, typography, graphics, collages, and Computing. I experimentally combine the traditional design practice with the new technology "generative coding" to create the whole album packaging, including six EP cover designs, lyrics book designs, and album package designs.
Inspiration: Growing up in China, I deeply love China's extensive and profound culture. By practicing calligraphy, I understand Chinese characters are not just a carrier of information but also a beautiful art per se. There are thousands of forms of Chinese characters, and each of them is infused with history. As a designer, I'm eager to discover more possibilities for the future of Chinese character design.