OPPORTUNITY
I was commissioned by filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and producer Carter Logan to design a poster and social assets for their band Sqürl’s European tour. Known for their post-rock, psychedelic sound and for scoring Jarmusch’s films, Sqürl’s tour was a unique event featuring live performances of their original score to the silent films of legendary artist Man Ray. The goal was to create a poster that captured the essence of the band, honored Man Ray’s artistic legacy, and resonated with both art and music audiences across Europe.
CHALLENGE
The challenge was to produce a design that visually connected Sqürl’s experimental, avant-garde style with the iconic, surreal aesthetic of Man Ray’s work. Additionally, the poster needed to stand out as a compelling promotional piece while maintaining an authentic connection to the themes of the tour.
SOLUTIONS
To bridge the gap between the band’s identity and Man Ray’s legacy, I presented them with three concepts. Below is the pitch deck I created which outlines the different possible ways-in.
The band chose the Rayograph concept, so I headed into the darkroom to create a series of photograms. This process involved arranging objects provided by Jim and Carter—such as Jim’s iconic sunglasses—and other found objects to create striking, surreal compositions.
The use of photograms brought a tactile, authentic connection to the design, aligning with the experimental and artistic spirit of both Sqürl and Man Ray.
By incorporating objects with personal meaning to the band, the poster became a direct extension of their artistic vision and connection to the films.
RESULTS
The final artwork successfully captured the synergy between Sqürl’s music and Man Ray’s avant-garde aesthetic, serving as a striking visual representation of the tour. The posters were printed with unique spot colors for each tour location and were sold at shows, becoming cherished keepsakes for attendees.