Custom Music Artwork Project - “Crosstrek Mixtapes” & Personal Playlist Covers
Music isn’t just a backdrop to my life—it’s the narrative. Every commute, workout, and task has its own sonic identity, and I’ve always curated playlists to match those moods. That passion led me to create “Crosstrek Mixtapes”, a series of themed playlists designed for the open road, inspired by my first car: a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Vol. 1 channels the rebellious joy of alternative rock and the nostalgia of the ’70s and ’80s, while Vol. 2 shifts gears into a slicker, more contemporary rap sound.
But my playlist art didn't stop at soundtracks for the streets. In November 2023, I designed a special playlist to commemorate three years with my girlfriend, Piper—one song for every week we’ve been together. A sonic diary of our most exciting, challenging, and rewarding moments. This playlist remains one of our favorites to this day.
Process:
For each mixtape, I created original album artwork that visually echoed the feeling of the tracks. I approached each visual as more than just a cover—it was a design that needed to feel like the music it held. The Crosstrek series embraced genre cues and emotional tones: retro textures for classic rock, bolder modern visuals for rap, all while maintaining a signature style across volumes.
The relationship playlist demanded a more intimate creative lens. I took inspiration from Piper’s love of photography and her beloved Canon camera. To bring the concept full circle, I designed an illustration featuring the camera with a photo of us reflected in its lens. Cotton candy skies wash the composition in dreamlike warmth, creating a design that feels as personal and timeless as the music itself.
This series reminded me that even a playlist—a digital collection of moments—deserves intentional, expressive design. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about memory, connection, and identity made visual.