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Album Campaign
Creative Direction
by Nick Astanei

Client /Project
West Thebarton - Mongrel Australia LP
(2022- 2024)


Client /Project
West Thebarton - Mongrel Australia LP
(2022- 2024)


©2026 COPYRIGHT N. ASTANEI

Album Cover + Packaging

Press Photos of Band

Roles: Creative Direction

In collaboration with band member & Designer Brian Bolado.


Deliverables

  • Brand Strategy

  • LP + EP Cover Design

  • Single Covers Design

  • Press Photography

  • Vinyl Packaging

  • Music Video Direction

  • Merch Design

  • Tour Graphics + Assets

  • Video Stage Visualisers

    Total Deliverables: 84





Click to explore some of the work



Click to explore some of the work

drag to rotate · click to open

drag to rotate · click to open

Brief: WestThebartonareaSouthAustralianGarageRockband. LeadsingerRayDalfsen;Australian-born,Filipinoparentshasspenthislifeunplaceable,describinghisownbackgroundasmongrelandmutt-like.Australiacarriessimilarthemesofcontradiction:afirst-worldcountryperformingfirst-worldcredentialswhilestillrefusingtoreckonwithitscontrovertialpastandthepeoplewhomadeit. Hence; MongrelAustralia
Brief: WestThebartonareaSouthAustralianGarageRockband. LeadsingerRayDalfsen;Australian-born,Filipinoparentshasspenthislifeunplaceable,describinghisownbackgroundasmongrelandmutt-like.Australiacarriessimilarthemesofcontradiction:afirst-worldcountryperformingfirst-worldcredentialswhilestillrefusingtoreckonwithitscontrovertialpastandthepeoplewhomadeit. Hence; MongrelAustralia

Moodboard & References

After listening to the album we were able to translate the feelings, themes & lyrics to define some of the visual language.

After listening to the album we were able to translate the feelings, themes & lyrics to define some of the visual language.

Lyrics

  • 'I woke up and won the award today'

  • 'Waiting my whole life'

  • 'The Desire is killing me'

  • 'You're gonna be great'

  • 'Watch you go and get it'

  • 'Face to face with the boogie man'

  • 'It's me against the motherfucking world'

Lyrics

  • 'I woke up and won the award today'

  • 'Waiting my whole life'

  • 'The Desire is killing me'

  • 'You're gonna be great'

  • 'Watch you go and get it'

  • 'Face to face with the boogie man'

  • 'It's me against the motherfucking world'

Song Titles

  • Desire

  • Victory Lap

  • My Needs

  • Certificate

  • MF WORLD

  • Humble Heart


It is also worth noting the music had juxtapositions of punk - heavy raw sounds mixed with lush acoustic ballads and acapella moments.

It is also worth noting the music had juxtapositions of punk - heavy raw sounds mixed with lush acoustic ballads and acapella moments.

Motifs

  • Personal celebration

  • Winning & losing

  • Recognising ‘beauty’

  • Needs & desires

  • Hesitation

  • Humility of victory

  • Attitude & commitment

  • Being counted out

Motifs

  • Personal celebration

  • Winning & losing

  • Recognising ‘beauty’

  • Needs & desires

  • Hesitation

  • Humility of victory

  • Attitude & commitment

  • Being counted out

Visual imagery

  • Gold, silver & bronze

  • Ornaments & Wreaths

  • Boxing & Fighting

  • Spotlights

  • Trophies & Medals

  • Rust

  • Mongrels/Mutts/Dogs +

Visual imagery

  • Gold, silver & bronze

  • Reflections

  • Light & shadow

  • Spotlights

  • Trophie

  • Medals

  • Rust

  • Mongrels/Mutts/Dogs +

THEME: BRONZE SILVER GOLD

THEME: BRONZE SILVER GOLD

MARKETING ROLLOUT

MARKETING ROLLOUT



*Due to covid: condensed into two projects.

Project 1
Victory EP

Bronze Ep Cover

Project 2
Mongrel Australia LP

Gold LP Cover

Custom Designed 3D TROPHIES
Both Covers were conceived traditionally through sketching

Custom 3D TROPHIES
Sketch to designed

Both Trophies Custom Bronze and Gold
3D Printed by Industrial Designer Jason Barton

Custom 3d Bronze and Gold Trophies

Printing: Industrial Designer Jason Barton


  • 3D use meant building content was endless

  • Physical trophy can be present at launch events

  • Hinted in Music Videos (Easter Egg)

  • Photographed with hand models

Using the same 3D models

We commissioned surrrealist 3D animated visualisers inspired by the Australiana themes.
3D Visualisers Animated by Artist Dave Court

Tour Assets + Posters

MUSIC VIDEO

  • Role: Video Director

  • Lead Single - Desire

  • Playing on similar themes to the album we directed a Wong Kar Wai karoake infused music video

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY
Role: Lead Photographer

  • Following themes

  • Colour graded on themes

  • Film

MERCH

Merch

All Rights Reserved
Nicholas Astanei 2026
Designed by ThereforeBecause