Symbolism

A key outcome from our concepting phase was the idea to represent the songs as a series of images that symbolize each song and connect with its core theme. Scott Avett, who is also a visual artist, created illustrations to be used as the symbols for each song. These were incorporated throughout the design, particularly in the packaging’s interior diagram, which charts the themes and dualities connecting different tracks. There, they revolve around one (of three) depictions of a creek that flows near the brothers’ childhood home, a site of constant reflection and inspiration to them.

Further motifs woven throughout the album include the shape of the speaker grate from their childhood church transformed into an embossed pattern on the cover, and the addition of a cryptic symbol that weaves in a monogram and several spiritual motifs.

Poetry

We drew upon poetic techniques (symbolism, metaphor, spatial rhythm, abstraction, etc.) to develop a distinct and evocative graphic system—a “poetics of The Avett Brothers.” Instead of a standard lyric booklet, we created a chapbook where each song was typeset as an experimental, free-verse poem.