The name fully served as inspiration for the design language. Vibrant graphics recalling the movement of water, a crafted logo, and a massive use of typeface are the distinctive elements that make the identity stand out in the underground scene.
Calder Valley Label embraces the new experimental sounds coming from the region of West Yorkshire. It is a record label founded by the local artist Ashley Hewitt and built around the name of the valley: Calder. “Calder,” meaning “hard water,” expresses the way the founder conceives the music exploration run by the label.
INSPIRATIONS
The local record label takes its name from the Calder Valley, the place where the artist-founder is based, and a valley located in West Yorkshire bathed by the river Calder. The name 'Calder' is thought to come from the early Brythonic, meaning hard or violent water.
BRAND IDENTITY CONCEPT
The foundation for building the brand was already laid by the name chosen by the founder. Calder Valley: the valley of hard water. I fully immersed myself in this creative concept and sought solutions to communicate it through the identity. The challenge was to find a visually unique way to represent water. After a phase of graphic exploration, I settled on abstract and geometric shapes with a vibrant effect created by noisy gradients. Visuals that recall the light reflections and the natural flow of water.
BRAND IDENTITY
The label identity is characterised by monochromatic linear gradients that dissolve into a vibrant interplay of shapes. Stretched typography is used extensively to capture the viewer's attention, establishing a robust and enigmatic appearance that reflects the dark and underground essence of the label.
LOGO CONCPET
The logo represents a significant aspect of the identity. Aiming to craft a unique and distinctive logotype, I opted to design the typography from scratch, experimenting with various letter shapes and styles. The outcome is a typography marked by the contrast between rounded and squared lines, featuring a strong horizontal orientation.
Upon completing the logo-type, I identified an opportunity to incorporate a mark composed by the initials of the label: C & V. The long V shape provides room for the C, appearing wedged onto it. The V's shape evokes the contours of the valley. Introducing a mark is a powerful way to promote the label's signature style through a simple and memorable graphic symbol.