Project Overview:
Album Cover & Gig Poster Design
Client/Artist: Childish Gambino (Conceptual)
Title: Awaken, My Love!
Designer: Steven Truong
Year: 2021
Title: Awaken, My Love!
Designer: Steven Truong
Year: 2021
Deliverables:
1. Vinyl Record Album Cover Design (12" Vinyl)
2. Final Vinyl Mockup Presentation
3. Gig Poster Design (24" x 36")
This conceptual design project reimagines the visual branding of Childish Gambino’s "Awaken, My Love!" through two formats: a stylized vinyl record cover and a live event gig poster. Each piece explores the emotional, political, and psychedelic soul nature of the album through bold illustration, layered typography, and retro-modern textures.
Design Process
Vinyl Record Album Cover
I started with the vinyl record cover.
The goal was to reflect the emotional and soulful energy of the album—drawing from funk, protest culture, and Afrofuturism.
I illustrated a stylized portrait of Gambino and used layered type, comic-inspired speech bubbles, and CMYK color blocks to mimic old-school print aesthetics.
Typography like “AWAKEN!” and “STAY WOKE!” plays with movement and urgency, echoing the album’s themes.
The goal was to reflect the emotional and soulful energy of the album—drawing from funk, protest culture, and Afrofuturism.
I illustrated a stylized portrait of Gambino and used layered type, comic-inspired speech bubbles, and CMYK color blocks to mimic old-school print aesthetics.
Typography like “AWAKEN!” and “STAY WOKE!” plays with movement and urgency, echoing the album’s themes.
Inspiration: 1970s funk, Afrofuturism, protest art
Key Features:
- Vector portrait of Donald Glover
- “STAY WOKE!” comic-style callout
- Fragmented CMYK color blocks
- Diagonal text layouts like “AWAKEN!” / “MY LOVE!” for rhythm
Outcome: Set the tone for the entire project with a high-impact cover and vinyl mockup presentation.
I began by sketching my ideas on paper, refining them during the thumbnail stage to explore composition, layout, and visual flow. Once I settled on the most compelling concept, I transitioned to Adobe Illustrator to build the final artwork. Working in vector format allowed me to create clean, scalable illustrations that maintained full detail and clarity across different applications—whether for digital, print, or packaging. I carefully set up my document with the correct specifications from the start and maintained a well-organized workflow throughout.
Stage 1 – Layout Sketch & Directional Exploration
The initial design focused on basic composition and type flow. I established a diagonal layout to guide the viewer’s eye and create tension. The portrait of Childish Gambino was central and expression-focused, set against a flat blue background to maintain simplicity and intimacy. Typography was bold and sparse — emphasizing the album’s title in a clear, awakening tone.
Stage 2 – Cultural Reference & Framing
To deepen meaning, I introduced the American flag and a rich, warm color palette (red, brown, orange). This version contextualizes the piece within a broader social narrative, reflecting themes of identity and heritage. The angular elements began forming a dynamic frame around the subject, adding structure and visual energy.
Stage 3 – Color Theory & Movement
Inspired by Afrofuturism and funk aesthetics, I expanded the palette with saturated purples, blues, and yellows. Patterns and textures were introduced, referencing the vibrant sonic energy of the album. Type positioning became more expressive — diagonal bands mirrored the pulse of music, while Gambino’s outfit reflected the colorful chaos of the genre.
Stage 4 – Message Emphasis & Final Polish
The final iteration introduced key lyrics — “Stay Woke” — in a stylized speech bubble to amplify its urgency and relevance. The layout was fine-tuned for hierarchy and clarity. Bold graphic motifs, halftone patterns, and high-contrast elements were layered to deliver an eye-catching, pop-art inspired gig poster. This version combines visual punch with cultural depth.
Gig Poster Design
Next, I designed a gig poster based on the album cover’s tone and visual identity. I imagined a Childish Gambino performance in Spain, and I wanted the poster to feel as intense and alive as the music—vibrant, loud, and unapologetically raw.
Context: BBK Bilbao Live (Spain), fictional show date July 12, 2018
Visual Direction:
- Full-body illustration of Gambino performing
- Energetic background with halftones and abstract shapes
- Bold 3D typography for event details
- Unified colours and graphic motifs from the album
Result: A vivid, engaging poster that reinforces the album’s visual identity in a live context.
