SB2 - Development

To have the time management under control with amahla's commission we agreed to come up with a time plan that we could both work towards. This would help manage my time easier, and have everything progressively checked and ready for the final deadline. It would also leave enough room to allow amahla to get back to me on any last minute amendments that may need to be made. 

21st October - Idea variations/options presented 

1st November -                                         1st Draft

11th November-                                       2nd Draft

25th November -                                    Final Draft

1st December -                          Artwork Complete

Amahla sent updates photos of herself from a promo shoot, this could be potentially used in the development of the EP work, as she wants to use both an old and new image of herself. 

Discussion of other design approaches led to whittling it down to these two designs shown above (for Inspo).

The design outcome will be something that has a central anchor point and works outward. The design will be centrally built upon and evenly balanced and incorporate icons that link to the discussed symbolism. 

Below are  developments of the design inspired by the work shown above, this is a developed design idea to be sent to amahla for consideration. The design links well and ticks all the boxes for the brief. The colour scheme on the second image above heavily inspired the design development and was something amahla wanted to see applied to her design work. 

Imagery that will be looked at and explored for this final outcome.

The design approaches were well received by Amahla the central style and design approach was a big step in the development process. The design is a collection of symbols and images intertwined together to offer a narrative that represents amahla and her work. The warmth and natural tones and elements links to her deep and soulful voice and style. The symbols also represent her and her heritage along with her ideologies in life. Elements are composed in a way to offer even balance to the overall look, and the use of leaves further add to the vibrancy of colour and balance of composition. 

This initial concept design was really well received by amahla, and with the time management she wanted to go ahead with this design approach with further alterations and developments till it can be fully finalised. 

I wanted to experiment further with composition. The design style that incorporates amahla into the piece highlighting her ideologies that emerge from her. After seeing the piece she said didn't want to have her photo being a prominent in the outcome.

The design was developed further by incorporating a sky in the background, it adds to the depth of the outcome and links well the the natural elements that are shown in the collage. 

The use of Angela Davis and a black panther in the collage was further researched into to see if it would be allowed. I think that this image may be illegal to use and cause trouble for Amahla, and this was confirmed by her label.

finalised design with front EP and Back EP

The final outcome of the EP has the two images replaced with primary imagery of London buildings and a picture of Amahla.

Amahla changed the design approach of the EP. A collage design that is centrally placed on the cover and has elements building outward. The Ridley Road Market will be the central element of the design, and will build up with symbolism relating to the themes of the album.

The tone and colour scheme of the design needed to reflect the music, looking into warm and velvety colours that link to her singing style. The symbolism for themes were chosen as subtle representations to not make the outcome look to political - and follow her commission of being an EP that invited people to look closer at the design.  

The central collage design was deemed more successful in representing the themes and forming an evenly composed outcome that can be used over different social media platforms.

The final outcome for this project was an EP design that visually narrated the stories behind each of Amahal's songs through the use of symbolism; without creating an obvious political protest design. The outcome builds on both Amahla’s work and herself through the use of old imagery to relate back to her old EP work. To further push the EP release, promotional content was created in coherence with the EP design - to form a set consistent visual assets.