When it Began

I started designing gig posters and concert prints in 2004, but it was not until my Digable Planets poster the following year that I began to find the beginnings of what would become my style. That shifting space where art and graphic design meet, dance, and intersect became my creative focus.

One of the earliest compliments that stuck with me came from Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood. He called the poster I created for their Sacramento show “fine art.” That comment helped me realize what I wanted my work to be. It needed to be more than promotional material or merch. Instead, I wanted it to live on a wall long after the amps cooled.

Web 1.0 and Gigposters.com

At the time, a big part of my education came from the now-gone but legendary GigPosters.com (now defunct with a new, different site using its URL).
It was an invaluable hub for designers around the world.
Long before social media, its message boards provided a space where artists could exchange tips, share feedback, and learn practical details about screen printing.
Through that community I discovered the importance of dithering, stochastic halftone patterns, and the delicate relationship between ink and paper.
As a result, I learned as much about how to print as I did about why gig posters matter.

The first few posters I made in 2004 for artists like Eyedea & Abilities and Muse became a process of discovery.
During that time I wrestled with questions every new designer asks.

Should I use the band’s press photos? Stylize them? Include their logo, or build my own?

There is no single right answer.
However, I realized early that my path would be defined by custom typography, color palettes tuned to the band’s sound, and compositions that could hold their own as visual art. Whether through collage, decoupage, or illustration, each poster should stand on its own while still connecting to the artist’s energy.
It should also feel part of their larger world of album covers and tour branding without simply copying it.

Because of that decision, my design approach has remained consistent.
Every project is a chance to experiment with new textures, print techniques, and color relationships.
In fact, that philosophy has guided Decabet ever since.

Each piece becomes a study in how far gig posters and concert prints can reach beyond promotion and move into pure expression.

The story of Decabet is also the story of its designer. Learn more about Jason Malmberg →