Katie SwiftThe Design Archetypes
Every Soundtrack album is a curated release.
Like pulling a record from the shelf, the right choice sets the tone before you even hear the first note. Each album design is an experiment. I don’t use templates; I build from the ground up based on the unique frequency of your session. Think of these archetypes as "Sonic Profiles"—they give me a direction to head in while I curate the colors, textures, and typography that best tell your story.
01 // The Classic
The Aesthetic: The Songwriter’s Journal.
The Feel: Think high-fidelity, timeless, and organic. This is for the soul who loves the tactile weight of a physical record—the grain of the leather, the weave of the linen, and a design that feels like a foundational piece of your history.
Texture & Color: A palette of Earth Tones and Neutrals (Oatmeal, Slate, Moss) or the definitive Classic Black Leather.
The Design: Premium material with a recessed Photo Cameo on the front and sophisticated Serif typography.
The Atmosphere: Grounded, substantial, and "Quiet Luxury.
02 // The Bright Pop
The Aesthetic: The Lead Single.
The Mood: Bold, modern, and high-production. This is for the senior with that "Name Brand" energy, who wants a seamless, polished finish that feels like a high-end publication.
The Palette: A Smooth Photo-Wrap finish with a vibrant, true-to-life color profile that pops off the page.
The Detail: I’ll experiment with clean, modern fonts that feel fresh and on-trend.
03 // The Dark Indie
The Aesthetic: The Cinematic B-Side.
The Mood: Moody, eclectic, and raw. This is the storyteller’s choice—intentionally "off-beat" and artistic.
The Palette: Deep, shadowy tones and colorful saturation. I’ll create a Custom Graphic Wrap where the cover itself becomes an eclectic piece of art.
The Detail: I’ll pull in Display Fonts—distorted type, typewriter keys, or heavy scripts—to create a look that is unapologetically unique.
Album FAQ's
Do I get to choose the photos that go in the album?
Yes if that's what you prefer! But I will say, most clients enjoy ME doing all the heavy lifting up front. Looking through hundreds of images and trying to choose your favorites can be a bit overwhelming. What I recommend is that I put together a good first draft and then you can make adjustments such as swapping out a few photos and/or additions.
Also, remember that you are likely to print out and frame a few favorites as well so it's not necessary or even preferable that all your favorites end up in the album.
I am a bit more traditional. Do you offer more classic cover styles?
Absolutely! From earth-toned leathers to exotic silks to nostalgic bookcloths, I've got you covered!
I ordered an album last year, is it too late to order another copy?
Never too late to buy stuff from me :) Seriously though, yes once I have designed your Album I can easily order copies for years to come. The only snag could be if my printing lab no longer offers certain materials. In that case we would just come up with an alternative.
I am an artist too...
can I design my own cover?
I love me a good collaboration so the short answer is yes. The long answer is that my design process is very particular due to specific book dimensions, design software and printing labs so while you can definitely send me your ideas, drawings and inspiration, I will need to be the one who creates the final design.
How long till I get my goodies?