From bold & bright tour artwork for Blink-182, to intricate and detailed album artwork for Sleep Token, Alex Tillbrook has certainly established himself as a leading name in the world of merch design.
The Hertfordshire-based designer and illustrator has been drawing since he can remember, and started dabbling in merch design whilst on tour with his band, fresh out of high school. Fast forward to today, Alex has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry - living proof that dedication to your craft, hard work and building the right connections totally pays off in the long run.
We caught up with Alex to discuss his creative process, some of his favourite projects, and where he finds inspiration.
To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in illustration & design? What drew you this particular field, and was it something you always knew you wanted to do?
I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling - whether it was through comics, album covers, or poster art growing up. My passion for illustration and design really took shape during my childhood when I discovered the connection between art and the music I loved. I’d spend hours looking through my dads record collection and trying to recreate my favourite covers.
While I didn’t always know I’d pursue it as a career, I’ve always loved sketching and creating art as a hobby. After trying my luck as a touring musician when I left school, I’d spend a lot of my spare time creating art for my own band, and I soon realised I could combine my love for music and art into a profession.
You’ve worked with some incredible names in the music industry, including Blink-182, Sleep Token, Holding Absence, and more. Are there any bands or projects that stand out as particularly memorable or inspiring for you? Is there a specific piece of merch you’ve designed that you’re especially proud of, and why?
Working with Blink-182 was a dream come true because they were one of the bands that inspired me to pursue music in the first place. I was commissioned along with one other artist to create a unique piece of art for each show on their 2024 headline tour. Having the opportunity to work with the band on such a large project was a lot of pressure, but an amazing experience.
Another standout project was working with Sleep Token on the Take Me Back To Eden album campaign. Their aesthetic is so unique, and it was really exciting to work closely with the band to explore a darker, more conceptual style. I’ve had the opportunity to work on lots of projects with them, and it’s always exciting to push my creative boundaries.
One piece I’m especially proud of is a limited-edition piece of art I created for Revolver magazine last year. We took elements from each of the character designs from TMBTE to create one unique piece in the same aesthetic as the album. It was a lot fun to work on!
Can you walk us through your creative process when working with a new client?
It always starts with a conversation between myself and the client. I want to understand the client’s vision, target audience, influences, and what they want their audience to feel when they see the design. From there, I research and brainstorm, pulling together reference materials and sketching rough concepts. Sometimes this will be digitally, but I’ve recently stripped everything right back and now start all of my ideas with pencil and paper. Sometimes it helps to step away from a screen and it helps me generate more organic ideas.
Once I’ve got a direction nailed down, I move on to digital drafts, refining the work until it captures the right energy. Collaboration is key, so I always make sure to check in regularly for feedback. I’ve found that it’s much easier to involve the client throughout the process, rather than waiting until the end to show them a finished piece. It enables me to take on board any changes early on in the process, and ultimately cuts down revision time at the end.
What, would you say, are some unique challenges that come up when designing for merchandise, as opposed to other graphic design fields and projects?
Designing for merchandise has a unique set of constraints. Your artwork has to be visually striking and translatable to different formats like shirts, hoodies or other physical products. Unlike a piece of digital art, merch is something fans wear so you have to think about how the design interacts with movement, fabric textures, and printing methods.
Who (or what) are some of your biggest influences, and where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from a lot of different sources. Music has always been a huge influence - not just the sound but the way bands create entire visual worlds around their work. Skate culture is another big one for me. There is something so raw and unfiltered about the art and DIY attitude in that scene. I’ve also always been fascinated by tattoo art, especially how it blends bold line work with intricate shading.
When I was starting out, I looked up to other artists and tried to emulate their work, which taught me a lot about technique. But over time, I’ve learned to step outside of that box and draw inspiration from what’s around me. Whether it’s patterns in nature, random objects I see in day to day life, or even conversations with people. It's about uncovering the remarkable in the everyday and incorporating that into my designs.
Being in a creative field, it is inevitable that at some point, you might face a bit of creative block. How do you overcome that, and are there any specific practices you rely on to reignite that creative spark?
When creative block hits, I step away from the project and try to immerse myself in something different, whether it’s playing the drums, going for a walk, or even just doodling without any specific purpose. Sometimes, I’ll revisit old sketchbooks to see if there’s an idea I can refine or build upon. Collaboration with others can also be a great way to break through. I have a great network of creative friends that are always on hand to help me get inspired. Fresh perspectives often spark new ideas!
In your opinion, what are some of the key elements that make a piece of merch truly stand out and resonate with fans?
A great piece of merch tells a story - It should feel like an extension of the band’s music and identity. Bold, clean designs that are immediately recognisable work well, but so do intricate, detailed pieces that fans can resonate with. Most importantly, the design has to connect emotionally with fans, whether it’s through lyrics, symbols, or imagery tied to the band’s identity.
If you were to have a conversation with your younger self, when you were just getting started with your career, what advice or words of wisdom would you share?
I’d tell my younger self to trust the process and not to fear rejection. Not every opportunity will work out, but each experience, good or bad, is a chance to grow. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire. Building a network is just as important as honing your craft.
Finish the sentence:
a) When I’m not working, you can find me… Spending time with family and friends, skateboarding or playing football with my kids, playing the drums, in the kitchen cooking.
b) Currently, my favourite album to listen to whilst working is… ‘The Light Age’ by Many Eyes
c) My favourite piece of merch that I own is… An Emery zip up track jacket that I found in Hot Topic on a family holiday years ago. I love the old emo aesthetic of the design and the large front print across the chest.
d) A band I would love to see live is... John Mayer, but in a small club rather than an arena!
Got any exciting upcoming projects or collaborations you can share with us?
I’m currently working on a collaboration with a UK based charity for a new event. I have full creative freedom on the entire brand identity, and it takes a lot of inspiration from the early 2000’s era of the alternative music scene, so it’s been a really exciting project to work on so far. I’m looking to work on more brand identity projects throughout 2025 so it feels like a great way to end the year.
Follow Alex on Instagram here.
To work with Alex or view more of his work, visit www.alextillbrookdesign.co.uk