Daolens - Decentralised Autonomous Orgs
Liquid chrome art direction for a vinyl release.
Overview
Shaping a record sleeve around motion, reflection, and atmosphere.
A record sleeve concept exploring the contrast between molten metallic forms and deep matte black. The artwork extends across the jacket and label, turning the physical object into a collectible piece of motion-inspired design.
Challenge
Making sound feel visible without becoming literal.
The artwork needed to express the energy of the release while avoiding predictable music visuals. The challenge was creating a cover that felt tactile, collectible, and emotionally aligned with the sound.
Approach
Using material and distortion as the main storytelling tools.
The direction explored reflective surfaces, liquid forms, and controlled abstraction. Instead of illustrating the music directly, the design translates its mood into light, texture, and movement.
Research
Studying sleeve art that turns atmosphere into identity.
Research focused on album packaging, experimental typography, and editorial art direction where abstract imagery becomes a strong visual world for the release.
Competitor Analysis
Many releases in the space rely on either minimal type-only covers or dense digital collage. This project created contrast by combining a refined typographic system with a more physical, chrome-like image language.
Visual Direction
The visual direction is metallic, fluid, and cinematic. Reflective textures create depth, while restrained layout decisions keep the artwork from feeling chaotic.
Design solutions
Designing a sleeve that feels like an object, not just an image.
The cover system was built to work across vinyl packaging, digital previews, and promotional assets. Each format keeps the same material quality while adapting the composition to its surface.
Typography
Typography stays minimal and precise, acting as a counterweight to the expressive artwork. The contrast between clean type and liquid texture gives the sleeve its tension.
Layout System
The layout uses strong margins and simple alignment to frame the central artwork. This restraint makes the reflective visual language feel more intentional and collectible.
Components
Supporting design components include release labels, track information blocks, and promotional crop systems that extend the artwork without diluting the main cover.
Outcome
A visual system with the weight of a physical release.
The final direction gives the vinyl release a distinctive atmosphere across print and digital formats. It feels tactile, memorable, and closely connected to the emotional tone of the music.
