Los Angeles, CA

Design and packaging for Kendrick’s 6th studio project, a celebratory love letter to the West Coast and the place we call home.

Using the GNX vehicle as the central motif, the design uses the car to represent the unapologetic nature and boldness of the music. The rim is used as a vinyl label, to great effect when spinning on a record player.

Echoing a similar design approach as Mr. Morale, the photography does the heavy lifting here, creating a concise and striking visual aesthetic.

Creative Direction: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Photography: Dave Free

A set of comissioned graphics for Nike By You. Dubbed ‘Air Studio’, these were created as an homage to Los Angeles.

In select Nike stores, you could choose any of these graphics to have applied directly to a product of your choice, including hoodies, t-shirts, bags, etc.

Following the initial project was a Nike Member Celebration workshop at Nike Santa Monica. Attendees were encuraged to create photo-collages using recycled pieces of product/fabric and were also given opportunities to customize a garment of their choosing during the event.

Design and production for pgLang’s first Converse footwear collaboration–including the Chuck Taylor and the Pro Leather models.

Responsibilities included initial ideation with the team, footwear CADs and mockups, as well as communicating with Converse to bring the ideas to life with the process of sampling and refining.

The conceptual ethos of ‘good luck’ is present throughout, including subtle bits of copy, hints of pgLang wordplay, and the multilayered tag/label system. 

Creative Direction: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Graphic design and packaging for Kendrick’s 5th studio album, his most personal and vulnerable project to date.

The design is intentionally paired back, allowing Renell’s photography to take center stage, giving listeners an intimate portrait of Kendrick’s inner and outer world. Typography and colors reflect the reverence of the subject matter with an almost biblical and spiritual feel.

Creative Direction: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Photography: Renell Medrano

To launch their new initiative ‘Corrections’, The Prisoner Wine Co. comissioned 3 bespoke pieces of label artwork for a limited edition boxset. Each piece features a conceptually poetic collage to create a feeling of hope and support.

‘Corrections’ aims to bring awareness to the challenges within the US prison system. A portion of the proceeds were donated to Rubicon Programs, a nonprofit that supports the wellness and economic mobility of those disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system.

Creative Direction: Zoe Green
Design & Packaging: Co-Partnership

For the launch of ‘Xanaboud’, Perfumehead commissioned a key piece of artwork to accompany the release and marketing materials.

“Xanaboud is like the last burnished hour before sunset—the magic hour—the sun, sky, and sea shimmer orange-gold. An indulgence of oud, osmanthus, Turkish rose, and Indian jasmine comingle with the deep sensuality of vanilla bean, labdanum, and Italian leather. “

Just like the brand and fragrance, the collage is an homage to the city of Los Angeles, emphasizing the vibrancy and natural beauty of the city.

Creative Direction: Daniel Giles

Footwear design and production for YG’s ‘The Block Runner’. This shoe was a 2-year labor of love from design, to production, to release. Another project inspired by our love of the West Coast.

Responsibilites included intial ideation, design of the flame motif, footwear CADs, mockups, and communication with the manufacturer to nail down fit and materials across multiple rounds of samples.

Also helped to establish the branding with custom ‘The Flame’ lettering as well as creating posters and various marketing assets. 

Creative Direction: YG & 4Hunnid

A collection of merchandise to support ‘Colibri’, a show of hand-made collages at FISK Gallery in Portland, OR.

Inspired by all things hummingbird, the products see a mesh of the FISK design language with a natural and collage-like feel.

Shirts, hats, skateboards, and posters were all made available for purchase on the night of the opening and afterwards.

Collaboration: w/ Bijan Berahimi

A special opportunity to a bespoke illustration for each article in ‘The Heist Issue’ for Bloomberg Businessweek. 

The collages are isnpired by uncovered and classified documents used by special agents to track down frausters across the globe. The image layering and treatments make it feel as if you’re looking through a specific case file for each story.

Creative Direction: Chandra Illick