Lycia Records - Album Cover Series

Lycia Records is an Istanbul-based boutique record company with a focus on jazz and improvisational music. Founded by Sarp Maden (a jazz musician and composer) and Space Goats, the label is dedicated to the production and exposure of a body of work that is aesthetically, creatively and technically skillful.

We designed Lycia Records’ brand identity to showcase their dedication to artistic mastery with a contemporary edge. We developed a design system for their album covers to turn each of their releases into parts of a collection - a system to tie all their releases together graphically and make room to reflect each release's unique character and story. The blocks of color where album information is provided mimics the motion of an equalizer. The length of the bars change according to the intensity of the color within the overall composition.

We also create artwork for all of Lycia Record’s releases as their creative partner. Utilizing a range of techniques including 3D modeling, photo-manipulation and production, we create artwork that are distinct but with a similar visual nature: in shape, color intensity and evocative nature. Each artwork tells a different visual story. For example, “No Mad” is a collaborative project between three artists who recorded their part individually in three different cities. The cover art depicts the interaction and the tension between three such creative forces through the analogy of a three-rope knot. On the other hand “Cake Pants and Pie Shorts“ is an EP named by the artist’s daughter that is meant to offer a sweet escape into the world she sees. So the artwork reflects this wondrous nature as the small figurine daydreams on a cliff of multi-layered mousse cake.

Lycia Records’ releases are currently exclusively on digital platforms. Our album art features dynamic elements both for digital cover features and Spotify canvases.