The Evolution of Musichead Gallery’s Visual Identity

Designed by Gandhar Design

Musichead Gallery, a renowned photography gallery dedicated to preserving iconic and unseen moments from music history, has been a staple in the artistic community since its inception in 1998. Founded by Detroit-based Sam Milgrom, Musichead started as a small 300-square-foot storefront on Melrose Ave, eventually expanding to occupy the former Valdez Guitar Building. The gallery’s archive spans decades and genres, representing over 80 photographers, offering fans and collectors thousands of prints that capture music's most unforgettable moments.

In 2024, Musichead sought to refresh its visual identity and online presence to better connect with a broader audience while staying true to its musical roots. To bring this vision to life, the gallery collaborated with Gandhar Design, led by the creative mind of Gandhar, a versatile graphic designer specializing in branding, web design, and digital experiences.

The collaboration between Musichead Gallery and Gandhar Design aimed to update the gallery's visual language, making it more open, modern, and vibrant. The redesign was more than just an aesthetic upgrade; it was about reestablishing the gallery’s identity and enhancing the way it communicated with its audience, both in the gallery and online.

One of the standout features of Gandhar’s design was the creation of a bold, custom logo-type inspired by vintage Rock n’ Roll posters. This logo encapsulated the energy and timelessness of the music industry while maintaining a modern flair. The use of grids and patterns inspired by cassette tapes further evoked a sense of nostalgia and connection to music's analog past, grounding the gallery in its music-focused roots.

In addition to the logo, the typography was custom-designed to align with the gallery’s core identity. The new header typeface was punchy and commanding, adding energy and visual interest to the website. The color palette was carefully selected to modernize the brand without losing the grit and spirit that Musichead is known for.

The website overhaul also introduced 3D effects that added depth and sophistication to the visual presentation. These effects, coupled with the clean, modern typography and imagery from Musichead's archives, helped create a seamless and engaging user experience. The result was a visually cohesive and dynamic brand that resonated with both new visitors and longtime supporters of the gallery.

Although Musichead ultimately chose a different direction, this design concept remains a testament to Gandhar Design’s innovation in blending past and present aesthetics.

Gandhar Vamburkar, the creative force behind the redesign, brings a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to his projects. Holding a Masters in Graphic Design from the California Institute of the Arts, Gandhar combines his background in engineering with his passion for design to produce solutions that push boundaries and deliver outstanding results. For Gandhar, design is not just about aesthetics—it's about exploration, wonder, and the pursuit of excellence. He specializes in digital design and can translate his creativity into functional web solutions, motion design, and branding.

The Evolution of Musichead Gallery’s Visual Identity

Musichead Gallery, a renowned photography gallery dedicated to preserving iconic and unseen moments from music history, has been a staple in the artistic community since its inception in 1998. Founded by Detroit-based Sam Milgrom, Musichead started as a small 300-square-foot storefront on Melrose Ave, eventually expanding to occupy the former Valdez Guitar Building. The gallery’s archive spans decades and genres, representing over 80 photographers, offering fans and collectors thousands of prints that capture music's most unforgettable moments.

In 2024, Musichead sought to refresh its visual identity and online presence to better connect with a broader audience while staying true to its musical roots. To bring this vision to life, the gallery collaborated with Gandhar Design, led by the creative mind of Gandhar, a versatile graphic designer specializing in branding, web design, and digital experiences.

The collaboration between Musichead Gallery and Gandhar Design aimed to update the gallery's visual language, making it more open, modern, and vibrant. The redesign was more than just an aesthetic upgrade; it was about reestablishing the gallery’s identity and enhancing the way it communicated with its audience, both in the gallery and online.

One of the standout features of Gandhar’s design was the creation of a bold, custom logo-type inspired by vintage Rock n’ Roll posters. This logo encapsulated the energy and timelessness of the music industry while maintaining a modern flair. The use of grids and patterns inspired by cassette tapes further evoked a sense of nostalgia and connection to music's analog past, grounding the gallery in its music-focused roots.

In addition to the logo, the typography was custom-designed to align with the gallery’s core identity. The new header typeface was punchy and commanding, adding energy and visual interest to the website. The color palette was carefully selected to modernize the brand without losing the grit and spirit that Musichead is known for.

The website overhaul also introduced 3D effects that added depth and sophistication to the visual presentation. These effects, coupled with the clean, modern typography and imagery from Musichead's archives, helped create a seamless and engaging user experience. The result was a visually cohesive and dynamic brand that resonated with both new visitors and longtime supporters of the gallery.

Although Musichead ultimately chose a different direction, this design concept remains a testament to Gandhar Design’s innovation in blending past and present aesthetics.

Gandhar Vamburkar, the creative force behind the redesign, brings a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to his projects. Holding a Masters in Graphic Design from the California Institute of the Arts, Gandhar combines his background in engineering with his passion for design to produce solutions that push boundaries and deliver outstanding results. For Gandhar, design is not just about aesthetics—it's about exploration, wonder, and the pursuit of excellence. He specializes in digital design and can translate his creativity into functional web solutions, motion design, and branding.