Approach:

The original album, Toxicity by System of a Down explores heavy themes of mass incarceration, the CIA, the environment, police brutality, drug addiction, scientific reductionism, and groupies. The goal of this project was to represent these themes, specifically the topic of drug addiction and the results of such abuse.

Process:

While almost entirely consisting of clippings from various magazines I wanted to have teeth knocked out on the smile on the cover, but later reserved it for the back cover. The text of toxicity was supposed to be an almost toxic sludge like text made from glue. After not being able to get the glue to look right, I decided to use an expo marker on paper to create an unfinished candid look.

Results:

The final look encorporates my desire to represent not only the pressure to do drugs from peers but also the effect that drug addiction has on people and how it can turn someones life for the worst.