CMYK is James Blake’s independent music label, with the name referencing his influential CMYK EP in 2010. The project is an umbrella over his creative output, live performances, personal releases and eventually releases from other artists too. Events are designed to showcase cutting-edge sounds and foster a community around forward-thinking music. Blake curates the lineup, highlighting his diverse influences and collaborators, creating an immersive experience for fans of his unique blend of genres. The CMYK series not only emphasises live performances but also reinforces Blake’s influence in the music industry as a tastemaker. By selecting emerging and established acts, Blake promotes an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from electronic to R&B and beyond.
We were asked by CMYK to establish a visual system for the brand to exist under, with the ability to flex over a wide range of applications including environmental visuals, merchandise, album artwork and music video. The foundation of the system is in the CMYK printing process, where the colour values are measured in units of 0-100 depending on their potency. This method has been interpreted to inform a dynamic typographic system. The brand identity is supported by a geometrically constructed, minimal monogram.
