Def Jam Recordings

A revamp on the brand identity of the legendary recording label, Def Jam Recordings.

Team
Individual Project

Role
Branding, Graphic Design, Copywriting

Tools
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop

Duration
9 weeks

Challenge

Select an existing company and create a revised brand identity. Assets for this project includes developing a creative brief, mood board, logo, stationary, posters, and environmental advertisements. 


Solution

Def Jam Recordings is a legendary music label that is largely responsible for the explosion of hip hop's popularity. I chose to revamp their brand identity, which has remained unchanged since its inception. My goal for this project was to evolve the brand to match its iconic role in music.

 


Cornerstone of Culture

For the hip hop lovers and creators, Def Jam Recordings is the original music label that jumpstarted hip hop’s popularity and continues to be at the forefront of the music industry and culture by empowering the creativity of some of the most important musicians of our generation with Def Jam’s legacy. 

 


Embracing the Artist

Since its inception, Def Jam Recordings has utilized a very minimal color palette of black and white. This is to ensure that the artists Def Jam represents is at the forefront of the label and can be fully embraced by the world. The revised identity must embody a sense of timelessness, while embracing the future and evolution of the industry. 

Using Format