4AD
Calendars
2024.
STUDENT WORK
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed out of Boston, Massachusetts in 1986. Known for their gritty visuals and provocative lyrics, their music has created a loyal fan base and distinct sound that is unlike anything else.
Graphic designer Vaughn Oliver is well known for his work on the Pixies multiple album covers. By studying his work and creation process, I created 13 abstract calendar designs, each inspired by different topics and themes in the Pixies music.
RESEARCH
This project allowed for a lot of creative freedom, as my professor encouraged us to experiment with abstract typography and layout. As we continued to research the Pixies background, it became apparent that part of their iconic style was jarring and provocative imagery.
SKETCHES
I immediately began listening to the first five of the Pixies’ albums we were primarily directed to draw inspiration from, spending many nights pouring over themes I found in their music. I started with as many ideas and rough sketches as possible, slowly narrowing down my final selections and determining the best way to portray them.
ASSET GATHERING
As an artist that already loves to create multimedia work, this was the perfect opportunity for me to do so. I created my own typography and supplied the photography for all the posters, at times creating elaborate setups to achieve an illusionary image. This handmade approach allowed me to become fully absorbed in the creation process, finding inspiration in all my surroundings. Many of the chaotic visuals were created through overlapping layers I digitally manipulated with transparency effects.
MOCKUPS
The final set of posters includes all 12 calendar months plus the bonus month of Jack which was included in Vaughn Oliver’s original 4AD calendars. With the goal of this project being abstract designs that looked completely different from one another, I had a great time experimenting with new processes and pushing the limits on typography and layout.
