Certainty of Tides
The Brief
Certainty of Tides by Nils Petter Molvær is an atmospheric jazz album that reimagines several of his earlier compositions with sweeping orchestral arrangements. Blending the artist's signature ethereal trumpet with strings, brass, and subtle electronic textures, the music evokes a cinematic and immersive soundscape. The result is a reflective, ambient listening experience that flows seamlessly between jazz, classical, and electronic influences.
The goal was to create a promotional poster and vinyl for Molvær’s Certainty of Tides that translates the musical identity into a visual language. The challenge was to bring the music to life through design while reflecting the immersive experience of listening to the album.
Design Approach
My process began by listening to the album to immerse myself into the music and explore ways to translate them visually. The concept of layering sounds emerged from noticing the patterns and pulsive waves of each track, reflecting the electronic manipulations the artist applies in his work. This inspired the idea of blending and creating waves of color.
Production
The final promotional assets translate Certainty of Tides into a colorful, dynamic composition. The poster’s focal point is a gradient that interacts with the thin, light type which evokes the feeling of following the journey of the album’s tracks. The design aims to feel airy and open-ended, with negative space providing balance and allowing the visual movement to breathe.
Adapting the design to the vinyl presented unique challenges. The circular die-cut symbolizes continuity beyond the horizon. Elements from the poster are applied to the inside booklet to emphasize phases and the unpredictability of irregular patterns, reflecting the improvisational nature of jazz and trumpet melodies.
The justified type mirrors the poster’s title, creating a consistent design language across applications. The form of the album conveys the layering and unveiling of elements, while the white vinyl serves as a blank canvas, inviting listeners to interpret the music and imagine their own journey.
