We got commissioned by Columbia Records to design the first studio album cover of American electronic music producer ZHU. Working closely with the artist, we were tasked to create this artwork referencing his asian roots with a baby Buddha statue. The feel had to be modern noir with a strong graphic quality, while being calm, meditative, floating.

At the request of the musician, the character had to be created as a physical model & photographed. To achieve the desired aesthetic, the hero visual came to life from the careful assembling & digital compositing of several lifelike movie props sourced from different parts of the world - an exciting creative production challenge. Alas, at the eleventh hour the label went in a different direction and the artwork didn’t make it to press.

Shot with David Lidbetter.