Abdullah Ahmed - A Visual Play on Sound

A mock up showcasing the vinyl packaging and design

An Abstract Play on Sound

Lia Kohl

promotional - Layout - Packaging

2024

Concept & Inspiration
This project includes a poster and vinyl designs for an event celebrating The Ceiling Reposes, the latest album by musician and composer Lia Kohl. Known for her experimental approach, she blends found audio, radio broadcasts, and improvisation to create layered, atmospheric soundscapes.

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Lia Kohl is a cellist, composer, and sound artist based in Chicago. Her work centers curiosity and patience, an exploration of the mundane and profound possibilities of sound.

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Objective

I wanted to create a bold, vibrant poster that highlights underground artists and brings their work to a wider audience. The final design reflects the improvisational spirit of Kohl’s music—layered, expressive, and always in motion.

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Her way of work involves curiosity, patience, and exploration of sound in various contexts. She makes music by layering improvisations with her cello and voice, and incorporating these layers within found sounds from radio samples.

She also collaborates with other musicians, artists, and dancers in theater, jazz, rock, and experimental projects.

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A mock-up of a digital album art. (assisted by AI)

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Billboard advertising the album at night

Design Approach

To capture the feel of Kohl’s music, I experimented with textures, brushstrokes, and typography. The brushstrokes fade in and out, like radio signals in the air. I refined the colors and textures digitally to create a cohesive and balanced look, mirroring the organic flow of sound in her work.