“Ricky Silver’s Blues Syndicate - Relaxin’ in Buenos Aires”

This project involved designing the album cover for harmonica player Ricky Silver and his band, Blues Syndicate. The brief referenced the visual language of classic Blue Note and Chess Records sleeves, minimalist layouts, monochrome photography, and strong typographic hierarchy. The goal was to evoke the atmosphere of mid-century blues and jazz recordings while keeping a contemporary edge. I used a duotone blue palette to connect the design to both the genre and the album’s mood, relaxed yet deeply emotional. The large-scale portrait highlights the musician’s expressive performance, capturing the raw energy of live blues sessions. The typography follows the structure of vintage record covers, combining bold uppercase lettering with fine serif details for balance and rhythm. The result is a cover that feels timeless, rooted in the golden era of analog recording yet clearly designed for today’s listener.