Joell Ortiz "Autograph"

Autograph is the sixth studio album by Joell Ortiz, a project reflecting on his life, career, and relationships. The album’s introspective storytelling and soulful production called for artwork that felt equally personal, hence the art direction’s focus on Ortiz’s own signature as the centerpiece.

Rather than using a flat graphic, the signature was designed to appear as if it were written with a silver marker, creating a tangible, handwritten feel. Additional scribbles overlay a minimalistic, photocopy-textured portrait, further enhancing the sense of direct connection with his audience. This aesthetic extends across the LP and CD packaging, creating a visual rhythm that complements the album’s themes.

This release also featured a longbox for the CD packaging—a nostalgic callback to the early days of CDs. Designed to match the height of vinyl records while maintaining the width of a CD, longboxes made it easier to display CDs alongside LPs in record stores. Though later phased out, their inclusion in Autograph’s packaging serves as a subtle nod to the album’s personal and reflective nature, bridging past and present.

Additional Credits:

• Art Direction by Austin Hart

• Photography by Photo Rob

Standing longbox photos courtesy of Mello Music Group.