Big Hats, Big Feelings, Bold Design: The Making of Tarantula
Album Design
In collaboration with Jen Mead as the primary designer and art director, I contributed bespoke illustrations and graphic elements for the album release of Tarantula by Misty Dawn. This project blends the nostalgia of classic show country music with a bold, modern feminist perspective. Together, we crafted visuals that reflect the album’s unique character, complementing its themes and enhancing its storytelling.
From vintage western iconography to subtle nods to the emotional undercurrents in Misty's lyrics, every element was designed to feel both timeless and intentional. In addition to the album artwork, I contributed to the merchandise design, with most of the illustrations making it to final production—always a great feeling.
Listen to the Album
Singles Design
The first four singles—Cowgirl Cliché, Meet Me at the Cactus Motel, Bartender, and Why Put a Man—are each rooted in classic western sounds, but with a playful, self-aware twist. For these, I developed a visual language that could flex across each track while still feeling cohesive.
I illustrated a distinct motif for each single (from motel signs to cowgirl hats to florals) and paired it with expressive, hand-touched typography. The result was an illustration system that felt like its own little universe—one that could live comfortably on streaming platforms, Instagram grids, and T-shirts alike.
These songs each tell a story, and the challenge (and joy) was figuring out how to echo that story visually without being too literal. The visuals became an extension of Misty's voice: bold, witty, and unapologetically feminine.
Merchandise Design
Merch is my first love when it comes to graphic design—there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing your work walk by on a shirt or hanging behind a merch table at a show. So when I got the opportunity to develop designs for Tarantula, I dove right in.
These concepts were based on the same visuals from the singles and album, reimagined for screenprinting and wearability. I focused on making each piece feel like something you’d actually want to wear, whether or not you’d heard the music yet. Think: retro aesthetics with a cheeky twist, subtle lyric pulls, and graphics that stood strong on their own.
We also designed a handful of stickers, which let us get a little weirder and more playful. My favorite moment from the whole project was illustrating Misty’s head—complete with her blonde hair and kitschy rope typography. To me, it became the standout piece of the merchandise and the thing I was most excited to get my hands on.
Our goal was to keep everything connected visually across the release cycle—so whether fans were seeing the album cover, streaming a single, or sticking Misty’s face on their water bottle, they were stepping into her world.
Working on this project was a reminder of why I love collaborative design: when strong visuals meet strong music, the result can be something really special. I'm proud to have played a role in bringing Misty's vision to life.
