Shine - Crazy Rich Asians
Cover art for their single 'Shine'
Client: Crazy Rich Asians
Year: 2025
Role: 3D Visual Designer
Software: Blender
I have always wanted to create cover art and when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. This artwork is for a student-led band called 'Crazy Rich Asians' at NYU Abu Dhabi. As an alumna of NYUAD, I was excited for my artwork to make it back into the hallways of my university and into the hands of my professors.
The band’s leader shared a few references with me — they were going for a retro, nostalgic aesthetic that instantly sparked inspiration. With just one creative restriction (“no stars”) and full freedom otherwise, I was able to explore freely. After hearing their sound, I was reminded of a photograph I took back in 2021 for a jewelry brand in Oman, which became the foundation for the final concept.
The concept of the wine glass filled with pearls subtly echoed the romantic nature of the song while nodding to the band’s name without being too literal. Pearls, with their quiet elegance and unforgettable shine, felt like the perfect visual metaphor to complement the mood and message of the track.
Mood board
Inspiration
One of my biggest inspirations for this was artist Haruko Hayakawa who makes beautiful 3D artwork that carry a deep sense of nostalgia and the right amount of retro futuristic.
alternative designs that I liked
It was a fun little project exploring a style different from my own and seeing it on a CD cover is a pretty cool feeling.