Mulatu Astatke
Category:
Music
Project Focus:
Brand Design
Bespoke Merchandise
Print Management
Category:
Music
Project Focus:
Brand Design
Bespoke Merchandise
Print Management
Category:
Music
Project Focus:
Brand Design
Bespoke Merchandise
Print Management
When the call came to reimagine a visual identity and merchandise for one of my musical heroes - the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke - it was a dream come true. Having listened to his records for many years, I honed in on the elegance and simple beauty in his music to create a new logotype that spoke to both his legacy as an artist and his experimentation as a musical visionary. I also got a bit playful with additional assets for his merchandise, featuring an off-kilter type mark, and a nod to his iconic vibraphone for some graphic pocket detail. I wrapped it all up in a classic monotone aesthetic, inspired by the album artwork for Afro-Latin Soul and Mulatu of Ethiopia. The merchandise I designed was premiered during Mulatu’s 2024 summer US Tour, where Mulatu played to sell-out crowds at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Sony Hall in New York City.
When the call came to reimagine a visual identity and merchandise for one of my musical heroes - the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke - it was a dream come true. Having listened to his records for many years, I honed in on the elegance and simple beauty in his music to create a new logotype that spoke to both his legacy as an artist and his experimentation as a musical visionary. I also got a bit playful with additional assets for his merchandise, featuring an off-kilter type mark, and a nod to his iconic vibraphone for some graphic pocket detail. I wrapped it all up in a classic monotone aesthetic, inspired by the album artwork for Afro-Latin Soul and Mulatu of Ethiopia. The merchandise I designed was premiered during Mulatu’s 2024 summer US Tour, where Mulatu played to sell-out crowds at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Sony Hall in New York City.
When the call came to reimagine a visual identity and merchandise for one of my musical heroes - the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke - it was a dream come true. Having listened to his records for many years, I honed in on the elegance and simple beauty in his music to create a new logotype that spoke to both his legacy as an artist and his experimentation as a musical visionary. I also got a bit playful with additional assets for his merchandise, featuring an off-kilter type mark, and a nod to his iconic vibraphone for some graphic pocket detail. I wrapped it all up in a classic monotone aesthetic, inspired by the album artwork for Afro-Latin Soul and Mulatu of Ethiopia. The merchandise I designed was premiered during Mulatu’s 2024 summer US Tour, where Mulatu played to sell-out crowds at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Sony Hall in New York City.
"Alex is joy to work with. When first approaching we knew we were working with a tight deadline and a difficult request, however he remained professional, kind and helpful throughout the entire process, despite our changing parameters. We now know Alex will always provide a dependable, authentic and communicative experience, as well as beautiful design work that is created with thoughtfulness and a thorough understanding of the brief. We would not hesitate to recommend him to others in the industry."
Heather Sheret, Label Manager - Strut
"Alex is joy to work with. When first approaching we knew we were working with a tight deadline and a difficult request, however he remained professional, kind and helpful throughout the entire process, despite our changing parameters. We now know Alex will always provide a dependable, authentic and communicative experience, as well as beautiful design work that is created with thoughtfulness and a thorough understanding of the brief. We would not hesitate to recommend him to others in the industry."
Heather Sheret, Label Manager - Strut
"Alex is joy to work with. When first approaching we knew we were working with a tight deadline and a difficult request, however he remained professional, kind and helpful throughout the entire process, despite our changing parameters. We now know Alex will always provide a dependable, authentic and communicative experience, as well as beautiful design work that is created with thoughtfulness and a thorough understanding of the brief. We would not hesitate to recommend him to others in the industry."
Heather Sheret, Label Manager - Strut
Credits:
Design & Art Direction by Alex Evans
Photography by Heather Sheret/Strut Records
With thanks to Mulatu Astatke and Quinton Scott
© Strut / K7 Music
Credits:
Design & Art Direction by Alex Evans
Photography by Heather Sheret/Strut Records
With thanks to Mulatu Astatke and Quinton Scott
© Strut / K7 Music
Credits:
Design & Art Direction by Alex Evans
Photography by Heather Sheret/Strut Records
With thanks to Mulatu Astatke and Quinton Scott
© Strut / K7 Music
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