First Year (IDEA Grad 2025) Students Explore Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco Designers with Psychedelic Album Cover Designs

In First Year Survey and Principles of Design, there is often a project to parallel the design movement studied. As part of an exercise to understand the "psychedelic" movement, which began in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco in the mid 1960’s and had an effect, not just on music, but also on many aspects of popular culture, the students created an album cover to reflect the spirit and aesthetic of the genre.

Shown above: “Pathé” by Stacy Zhang.

“My inspiration originates from striped skirts worn by women in the 60s. My design incorporates not only the water ripple pattern but also a variety of vintage yet vibrant colours. Additionally, floral elements added more depth to the theme.”

— Stacy Zhang (IDEA Grad 2025)

Here are a few 60s album cover projects from IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II with Vida Jurcic.

Album cover design by Amelia B

"Geographer" album cover design by Christopher R

When researching the psychedelic movement I learned many artists at the time drew inspiration from the art nouveau movement that predated it. Upon further investigation, I noticed Peacocks are everywhere in art nouveau. The perfect mascot for Geographer’s album “Animal Shapes.” From there I only needed to introduce our friend the peacock to the bright colours and ornate type of psychedelia.

Instagram: @humblehoundcreative

"Santana" album cover design by Katie Yaremkewich

"Planet Her" album cover design by P. Verdon

Upon introduction to this assignment, I immediately knew I wanted to do a psychedelic recreation for Doja Cat’s newest album “Planet Her.” I accidentally married the 80’s retro 60’s together, but it made a fun outcome!

Instagram: @fibyandjelly

"Lana Del Rey" album cover design by Y. Loker

I love the chaotic vibrancy of the psychedelic movement. I took this assignment as a chance to experiment with some digital painting tools I hadn’t used much before. I played around with liquify, noise and chromatic aberration (to name a few) and tried to channel the bold, playfulness of psychedelic art. Loosely inspired by the original album art of “Born to Die” by Lana Del Rey, I went to town!