Along (MX)

ALONG — Single Artwork & Merchandise Design

ALONG — Single Artwork & Merchandise Design

ALONG — Single Artwork & Merchandise Design

Alonso Villalpando is a Mexican musician, songwriter, and singer who, after six years as a member of CD9, launched his solo project ALONG—exploring R&B, jazz, and pop through a more personal and introspective lens. The project moves into a softer, more emotional territory, where sound and identity feel more intimate and self-defined.

Visual direction and artwork for ALONG (singles: “baba” & “si c100te igual”) I developed the visual identity for two of ALONG’s singles, baba and si c100te igual, creating artwork that translates the emotional tone of the music into a playful yet expressive visual language. The direction combines airbrush aesthetics with kawaii and cartoon-inspired elements—resulting in vibrant, character-driven compositions that feel both soft and striking. Bright, saturated colors were used to reflect the warmth and sensitivity of the tracks, while still maintaining a distinctive, eye-catching presence.

Beyond digital artwork, the visuals were extended into a merchandise line designed for ALONG’s tours across Mexico. The illustrations were adapted into wearable formats, allowing the identity of each single to exist physically and connect more directly with audiences. Each piece functions not only as merchandise, but as an extension of the music’s visual world.



The main challenge was creating a visual language that could match the emotional depth of the music without becoming predictable or overly literal. The project required balancing softness and intimacy with a strong, recognizable aesthetic that could stand out across streaming platforms and physical merchandise.



At the same time, the visuals needed to feel cohesive across multiple formats—digital covers, promotional materials, and tour merchandise—while still allowing each single to have its own identity. The challenge was to build something flexible, expressive, and memorable within a relatively minimal visual framework.



I approached the project through character-based storytelling, using illustration as the core medium to capture the emotional tone of each track. The airbrush technique added a sense of softness and atmosphere, while the kawaii and cartoon influences introduced a layer of playfulness that contrasts with the introspective nature of the music.



By developing a consistent visual language—centered around color, texture, and character design—I created a system that could adapt across both singles while maintaining a unified identity. Extending the artwork into merchandise allowed the visuals to move beyond the screen, becoming part of the live experience and strengthening the connection between the artist and their audience.



The result is a cohesive yet expressive visual direction that amplifies ALONG’s sonic identity—translating emotion into image, and image into something tangible.


Vinyl Sticker Sheet — Illustrated Universe

year

2024-2025

timeframe

2 months

tools

Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator & After Effects

category

Art Direction for Music & Merch

⸜(。˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

for upcoming projects or commissions,
you can reach me at: astrokidsart@gmail.com 𐙚°

⸜(。˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

for upcoming projects or commissions,
you can reach me at: astrokidsart@gmail.com 𐙚°


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