Exalt Records — record label artwork
Design and artwork for Exalt Records since the label relaunched in 2018 until their final release in 2024.
The first relaunch releases were strictly limited vinyl white labels with a single colour tracing paper insert. The more recent feature full colour printed sleeves and label art but keep the aesthetic established by those earlier releases. Some of my favourites are below, starting with the most recent…
THE END — various artists
Exalt Records final release — going out in style with a triple vinyl, double CD and four 12" dubplates, see more of this project.
Exalt Records versus FireScope Records
A live event jointly hosted by both record labels in London in June 2022. As well as social media promotional graphics, I also designed the labels for a limited edition set of three lathe cut 7"s (above) which were sold bundled with an A2 folded poster (below) at the event.
The Fallen Entertainers
Centre label designs for an occasional series of mystery 12" releases by unknown artists under the guise of (sadly deceased) variety entertainers from the 70s and 80s. If Bruce Forsyth or Spike Milligan made techno, perhaps this is what it would sound like?
XDB – Total Exalt Mix
Limited edition DJ mix of Exalt releases by XDB. CD housed in a clear wallet with white ink sticker featuring imagery of deconstructed architecture.
Exalt Records Xmas Dubplates 2021
#1—5 (Sight, Touch, Smell, Taste, Sound)
Set of five 10" dubplates with hand screen printed inserts. Imagery based on evoking our five main senses.
Ever Vivid – States of Being
Double vinyl album in gatefold sleeve, see more of this project.
Paul Hierophant – Utopian Dystopias (Part Three)
The final part of Utopian Dystopias, featuring full colour sleeve, coloured vinyl and insert. Paul had written a short story inspired by the themes explored on the trilogy that ended up on the insert, this was great inspiration for the artwork. Three planets feature on the cover and insert in reference to the trilogy of releases.
Darren Nye – Fading Memories
Based on conversations with Darren about the music, I started exploring a cold/frozen aesthetic and came across some lovely aerial images of icebergs. They seemed a perfect fit for the concept... global warming and the fact most of an iceberg is below the surface (there's more to the music than meets the eye/ear). The colours of the ice underwater, disappearing into the darkness is emphasised by the added texture of a CRT screen, making us the viewers of these ice giants as they melt away (like Fading Memories).
Exalt Birthday Dubplates
A very limited set of six dubplates released to mark Jamie Exalt's birthday. Screen printed imagery is based on abstracted images of the six sides of a dice.
Russ Gabriel – Ancestors / Aurology
The stylised "A" on the covers link these albums that were released simultaneously, a family tree for Ancestors and a geometric letterform for Aurology.
The Hidden Figure – Finality EP
The Hidden Figure is an alias for an established mystery artist. This inspired the corrupted CCTV style imagery of a shadowy, unknown figure for this limited edition 12".
Paul Hierophant – Utopian Dystopias (Part Two)
The second Utopian Dystopias EP, this time we discussed a more optimistic mood for the artwork. Part One (shown further down the page) was fittingly dystopian, this one is more about hope. Also the first use of colour on an Exalt Records insert, giving the sleeve an added dimension but still keeping the label's aesthetic. I love coming up with imagery when there's a solid concept behind a release and a story to interpret.
SCN1 – Daybreak EP
Postcard insert for a limited edition two track 7", printed on black card with white ink. The front features graffiti artwork by Hanal, and ScanOne's own graffiti tag on the back.
Paul Hierophant – Utopian Dystopias (Part One)
12" paper insert featuring a lone spaceship leaving a planet, is this the end or a new beginning?
Steven Rutter – Light From The Dark EP
7" single colour insert printed on tracing paper for a two track EP from one half of B12 and the boss of FireScope Records. The title and atmospheres of the tracks gave me plenty of inspiration for the artwork. Cover photograph by Joe Schulz.
The Hidden Figure – Silhouettes
Full colour labels featuring a classic acid-house smiley. Random and increasingly off-axis circles spin out of control, the vortex forcing the typography out through the graphics. Released in a bright yellow sleeve with sticker and in a choice of either clear or smokey marbled vinyl.
Swayzak vs Theorem – Break In At Apartment 205
Reissue of an EP that first appeared on M_nus in 1999. The rainy window of an inner city flat summed up the mood of the title track perfectly. Photography by Gabriele Diwald.
Norken + Nyquist – Go Polonius
10” vinyl EP by Lee Norris and Frank Rumpelt. The brief called for a theme of an Atari ST, a 1980s computer which has enjoyed enduring appeal amongst electronic music producers. From there I started to explore vintage technology, circuit boards and music studio equipment. Original photograph by Galen Crout.
Testimonial
"I started working with David at Grid Pattern in 2018 through a recommendation from a friend and he quickly became an integral part of the music label project being worked on at that time. It was clear from the beginning that David possessed a huge knowledge of design and an understanding of how to get the best from concepts provided as bare bones sketches discussed over the phone, or from more developed ideas provided as visual images which David processed and worked into an extremely strong visual identity for Exalt Records. The visual component of the label was very important for me and David met and exceeded the brief for every project without exception. He came on board at a time when budgets were tight and helped to develop an extremely strong visual identity for releases on vinyl, CD and cassette as well as promotional items including t-shirts and posters.
David contributes to our on-going business ventures and always goes above and beyond with every design project he completes. It's this dedication to outstanding visual aesthetics, along with his drive to achieve the best outcomes in every job undertaken, being the primary reasons we continue to work with him on a day to day basis."
Jamie Exalt
Head of Exalt Records
