Watch the Throne

Jay-Z and Kanye West asked Riccardo Tisci, then creative director of Givenchy, to design and direct the artwork for Watch the Throne, after he had already created the cover for their 2010 single "H.A.M." The cover is a dense field of gold, heavily gilded and perfectly symmetrical, which a Givenchy representative described as looking embroidered, while the inside artwork appears painted and printed.

Tisci filled the design with his signature motifs: geometric patterns, animal faces and surreal religious imagery, arranged to give the package a ritualistic, majestic feel. Its bold colour and sharp angles were meant to reflect the masculinity of the two rappers, and the gold suits an album about luxury and success at the very top.

"I am honored to have been asked to be part of this incredible music moment with such amazing artists," Tisci said. "We share the same way of working: like a family." The album was released on 8 August 2011.