Secret 7" War Child
Secret 7” began in 2012 and has grown into a celebrated project that’s now in its ninth edition. Each year, seven iconic songs by internationally acclaimed artists are chosen and pressed onto 100 limited-edition 7” vinyl records.
Artists and designers from around the world, ranging from big names to emerging creatives, are invited to design unique record sleeves for each track. With complete freedom of interpretation and medium, the result is 700 original, collectible artworks that reimagine what a vinyl cover can be.
I entered the competition keen to contribute to such a meaningful cause and be part of an event that brings together creativity and community. It’s a brilliant opportunity to create artwork for music I admire while sharing space with an inspiring mix of artists and designers from around the world.
2024 - Lullaby by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Submission for the 2024 Secret 7" War Child Exhibition
Song: Lullaby by Siouxsie and the Banshees
This design is inspired by the dark, dreamlike atmosphere of Lullaby, aiming to evoke a moonlit, gothic mood. Fluid lines and intertwining florals create a sombre, nocturnal pattern that envelops two flying swans, an image drawn from the lyric: "The dream swan spins." The illustration was sketched, coloured, and shaded in Procreate, with final tonal adjustments made in Photoshop to deepen the palette and enhance the moonlit, ethereal quality.
2025 - Devotion by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Submission for the 2025 Secret 7" War Child Exhibition
Song: Devotion by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
This design is inspired by the themes of devotion and love, capturing their intensity and complexity through rich, bold reds and magenta pink florals. The pattern-style illustration draws directly from the lyric: "When I'm with you the garden's lush, rising with new flowers, in a rush." It aims to evoke a sense of flourishing emotion, an overwhelming bloom of affection and passion, through intricate, layered botanical forms.
