When Jerry Williams from Viral Change introduced us to his friend Tani, we were thrilled to dive into a truly creative project. Tani, a talented musician, was gearing up to release her new EP, The Urban Mermaid Project, and she wanted an album cover that would make a splash, something visually stunning and as unique as her music.
From the start, Tani had a clear vision: she wanted a freehand illustration that captured the essence of the sea. With the album’s title in mind, we aimed to create a cover that would blend urban sophistication with the whimsy and magic of ocean imagery. To kick things off, Tani shared a photograph of herself, which we used as the foundation for the design.
The resulting illustration was a detailed line art portrait of Tani, with her long, flowing hair taking center stage. We wove sea creatures and ocean treasures – seahorses, shells, and starfish – through her cascading locks, creating a mesmerizing and intricate composition. It was a bold and playful nod to her mermaid theme, and we had so much fun bringing it to life (even if all that hair felt endless at times!).
To elevate the artwork even further, we created two additional versions of the design, adding delicate watercolour highlights in shades inspired by the sea. These blues, greens, and teals brought the cover to life, adding depth and vibrancy to the line art while staying true to Tani’s oceanic vision.
The final result was a striking, one-of-a-kind album cover that Tani loved and we were proud to deliver. The artwork not only encapsulates the mood of her music but also creates a visual identity that’s as memorable as the songs it represents.
Working with Tani on The Urban Mermaid Project was a joy, and we’re so excited to see her music reach new audiences.
