I intended to redesign the album cover of Billie Eilish’s 2017 “don’t smile at me”, to better fit with the mood and general ambience of the songs. Being the artist’s first EP, it was a way for her to assert herself to the world, challenging what was expected of her as a teenage girl. The soft, dreamy vocals and ethereal backing tracks juxtaposed the themes in the album– teenage angst and rebellion; which I wanted to highlight in my designs.
Initial Design Tests:
I wanted the designs to reference the title track "ocean eyes"-- which was Eilish's debut single, and the lead single for this album.
I experimented with adding scratches and jagged scribbles to convey anger, and frustration; as well as the theme of teenage angst. The use of messy handwriting for the titles also made it seem more personal, as if the artist herself drew them, conveying emotion. Scribbling out her eyes made the viewer focus more on her lack of smile, as she looks back at the viewer, about to embark on her journey to stardom.
I experimented with adding scratches and jagged scribbles to convey anger, and frustration; as well as the theme of teenage angst. The use of messy handwriting for the titles also made it seem more personal, as if the artist herself drew them, conveying emotion. Scribbling out her eyes made the viewer focus more on her lack of smile, as she looks back at the viewer, about to embark on her journey to stardom.
The design at the bottom was an attempt to fusing both a smile and a crying eye-- as a symbol for "dont smile at me".
Sketch of Album Package Model:
FINAL COVER DESIGN:
SLEEVE DESIGN:
Inner Sleeve Designs and Back Cover
Opened Up Package - Outer
Opened Up Package (Inner)
Alternate Vinyl Design:
