Rockin' at the Knox 2019 Campaign

Every year, for one night only, the grounds at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery transform into an outdoor music venue, attracting internationally-acclaimed acts. In the past it’s been Wilco, The National, Beck—2019 was Death Cab for Cutie’s turn.

This unique campaign for the event included promotional materials and merchandise, beginning with a four-color, silkscreened gig poster. Directly inspired by the band’s lyrics, it casts a lone fish as the classic underdog hero, hanging in despite the odds—an apt metaphor for the City of Buffalo. 

A second poster—a gift for VIP attendees—was letterpressed in collaboration with the Western New York Book Arts Center (WNYBAC). The typography used throughout the campaign was extracted from specimen sheets printed at WNYBAC. It’s featured in type lockups for Alright, Alright, Albright!, a special beer brewed for the event by Labatt Brewhouse. Lastly, a limited-edition tee shirt and custom stamp, both inspired by an architectural detail from the museum—a spiral-bearded-sun-god-looking dude—were created.