UMe x Jackson 5

Designing the Catalog Engine

A first look at a new collaboration with the team at Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) to build a brand new visual framework dedicated to systematizing one of music history's most sacred heritage legacies: the Jackson 5 catalog.

When managing assets of this cultural weight across a fragmented digital landscape, the job is about protecting the original history while making the production pipeline move incredibly fast.

The objective was to extract the raw visual DNA of archival 1970s print work and engineer a modular design system. By building a unified kit of custom illustrative iconography, bespoke typography, and an era-accurate color palette, we created a modular blueprint that houses raw archival photography inside responsive, era-accurate design containers—allowing historic assets to scale naturally into any digital platform without breaking aspect ratios.

A few of the tracks are officially live, marking the first widescreen deployment of this framework. This acts as the foundation for a larger, responsive system designed to handle the multi-format demands of a comprehensive catalog rollout.

This first look demonstrates the foundational aesthetics of the framework. As the system scales across streaming and social platforms later down the line, these individual components will dynamically shift to fit different screen formats.

By treating legacy art direction as a scalable system, historic catalogs can eliminate production friction, protect historical integrity, and streamline multi-format rollouts.

See the System in Action

Experience the framework live via the official Motown Channel. Structural component rollouts continuing dynamically throughout the year.

The Sleevemix

Sleevemix is an ongoing visual series mapping the genetic connection between definitive hip-hop records and the original vinyl samples that birthed them.

The project functions as a premium cultural collage—translating audio lineage into a distinct, tactile universe. Each entry in the series explores the intersection of music history, character illustration, and visual curation, filtering iconic musical moments through a soulful, highly stylized lens to capture the architects and energy of the culture.

This is an independent, evolving studio series. New tracks added as they are cut.

Click images to view larger.

Images in order from left to right.

TRACK 01 // Kraftwerk: Techno Pop (1986)
A visual remix mapping Kraftwerk's sonic influence on West Coast funk.

TRACK 02 // Dr. Dre: The Chronic (1992)
Intercepted by Parliament's Mothership Connection.

TRACK 03 // Kanye West: The Life of Pablo (2016)
A Visual Remix showing Sister Nancy's timeless sample on 'Famous'.

TRACK 04 // Metal Fingers: Special Herbs (4/20)
A visual remix merging MF DOOM's instrumentation with Cheech & Chong's iconic 1978 'Up in Smoke' soundtrack. Originally commissioned by Rhymesayers Entertainment for a limited capsule release.

TRACK 05 // Nas: Illmatic (1994)
A Visual Remix mapping MJ's 'Human Nature' sample on 'It Ain't Hard to Tell'.

TRACK 06 // Grace Jones: Nightclubbing (1981)
A Visual Remix of Grace Jones iconic ‘Nightclubbing’ cover photo.

Good Neighbor

An illustration I made for Good Neighbor restaurant which just opened up in Sacramento California. It will be a mural wall wrap on the exterior surface.

Hometown Heroes

An Illustration I drew that journals homegrown talent in sports from San Jose’s past, present, and future. This was commissioned by the City of San Jose and applied as a mural wall wrap in their City Hall Rotunda exhibition space.

NIKE x SAM RODRIGUEZ

In November 2025, during the NWSL Championship in San Jose, I collaborated with Nike as a hyperlocal artist at Santana Row, creating customizable designs that celebrated Women’s Soccer. Scroll down to see photos + process.

Rhymesayers Announcement

I’m happy to share that in addition to my independent practice, I’m starting a new position as Designer at Rhymesayers Entertainment. Rhymesayers is the label behind the MF DOOM estate and many other retro hip-hop artists. I will be focused exclusively on the creation and development of physical music products (vinyl, CDs, cassettes) and merchandise (softgoods, accessories, and bespoke products).

Below is a graphic I designed for the label’s 30th anniversary.

Re Mix (ed)

A look at the front cover and in-progress sketch for the back. They’re part of the
wraparound artwork for my upcoming book, a collection of my works with a few notes on the process. I hope to release it in Fall of 2026.

The Process of Growth

I recently had the opportunity to create the commemorative poster for Working Partnerships USA’s 30th Anniversary, celebrating three decades of economic, labor, and racial justice work in the South Bay.

The artwork centers on a portrait of a young community member, symbolizing the next generation of leadership being built by those who came before. Around this central figure, community members paint and build together, reflecting the collective effort and intergenerational strength that has shaped WPUSA’s history.

Throughout the composition, I included visual elements that represent solidarity and growth — from the scaffolding that ties everyone together, to the local landscape and native plants that root the scene in the South Bay. The symbols within the piece, like the raised fist, megaphone, and sunrise, point toward action, hope, and renewal.

This project was a reminder of how creative work can honor the past while pointing toward the future. I’m grateful to have collaborated with an organization that continues to uplift workers, families, and communities with vision and heart.

Runners World

Illustration I made for Runners World Magazine for an article about “7 Lessons Learned From Running 35 Marathons”.