Year
2025
Client
Riles
Category
Music
Product Duration
1 - 2 Weeks
The cover art places Rilès in a surreal, deserted orange landscape under a blazing sun, symbolizing both isolation and resilience. Central to the scene is a massive hourglass, representing the relentless passage of time and the urgency of survival-a direct nod to the album's core message. Rilès is depicted running on a treadmill, referencing his real-life 24-hour survival run, highlighting the theme of pushing personal limits. At the end of the treadmill lies a black panther, embodying both danger and the inner beast one must confront.
Subtle narrative layers enrich the artwork: a small rat scurries in the sand, a clever allusion to the alternative "SURVIVAL MODE RAT EDITION." Behind the hourglass, stylized "money trees" hint at the allure and challenge of material success-a theme echoed in the track "Money Trees." The cover's composition connects visually and conceptually to the album's tracklist, which includes titles like "Survival," "Big Trouble," "Beast," and "Ready to Die," reinforcing the overarching narrative of battling adversity and seeking meaning.
The vinyl edition features a striking marbled orange color, mirroring the desert landscape of the cover art. The center label carries the "SURVIVAL MODE" title in the album's signature ornate typography, creating a strong visual link between the physical record and the album's thematic core. The color palette and swirling textures evoke the heat and intensity of the survival journey, making the vinyl not just a listening experience but a collectible art object. This cohesive design approach ensures that the tactile experience of the vinyl matches the emotional intensity of Rilès' music.
The merchandise collection translates the album's visual and lyrical motifs into wearable art. Key pieces include:
Run Hoodie: On the back, a blurred and distorted figure sprints from a black panther, capturing the urgency and chaos of survival. The front features the word "RUN" repeated in various styles, all blurred and layered, echoing the psychological repetition of fear and escape.
Survival T-shirt: The front displays the "SURVIVAL" title in the same ornate typography as the album cover, paired with the treadmill, panther, and sun motif for strong visual continuity. The back features a unique handshake between a human and a panther's paw, symbolizing the uneasy alliance or confrontation between man and his inner beast.
Money Trees Sweater: The front showcases the "MONEY TREES" title in the album's signature style. On the back, a stark, leafless tree stands before a sun, while a skeleton gathers falling money, watched by a panther-like beast-a metaphor for the risks and costs of chasing fortune.
Scarf: The scarf design incorporates intricate linework and the "SURVIVAL" motif, serving as a versatile accessory that ties together the visual language of the project.
Each merch item is carefully crafted to extend the album's narrative, offering fans a tangible connection to Rilès' story and the world of "SURVIVAL MODE."
