Layouts and identity work for Zambient: a new compilation series from, label, ZTT.

 

This first album needed to be in stark contrast to the more disposable albums that have fallen into the more throwaway 'chill out' category to assert its place in the marketplace and continue ZTT's thoroughly modern aesthetic. A cooling colour palette was subsequently defined alongside an authoritative serif typeface and rigid grid system. Available on deluxe CD and digital formats, the cover image by Helen Renshaw of moored boats was used as a repeat pattern to subtley represent a waveform. One other option that was considered during the artwork's development included the incorporation of photos of Leandro Erlich's fake swimming pool taken at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa (below).

 

The finished compilation collects together music from artists as diverse as 808 State, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Heights of Abraham and Kirst MacColl to soundtrack "an imaginary road trip" that, courtesy of further design from Philip Marshall, has been carefully mapped thoughout the rest of the package. Zambient Two was produced for Record Store Day 2014: as part of a limited edition ZTT vinyl box set.