Nicholas D’Apolito crafts beautifully experimental visuals for the music industry

The work of Ohio-born graphic designer and art director Nicholas D’Apolito has been slowly but surely building across the vibrant Los Angeles graphic design scene for a few years now. Centred mainly around music, Nicholas’ work pulsates with life – emboldened by vivid colours, incredibly unique typography and a diverse array of visual influences. “My process is usually very hands-on and chaotic,” Nicholas tells It’s Nice That. “I like to print and scan a lot of individual elements to let me breathe from the screen a bit, building up compositions and ideas.”

With influences from M/M Paris, 8vo, The Designers Republic and Barney Bubbles, it’s no wonder Nicholas is drawn to a ‘chaotic’ process of design. Looking at Nicholas’ portfolio allows one to see the full breadth of his visual landscape, wherein each project feels successfully experimental. They’re refined but boundary pushing, evident especially in his latest work for singer-songwriter Ethel Cain. “I think my goal is to always try and respond to the music, usually trying to amplify what I found special about the music or how I expect others to respond to it,” Nicholas explains. “I attempt to make it as honest and beautiful of an image as possible.”