The word Katabasis is drawn from Greek, meaning “descent.” This concept became the heart of the design: a visual journey downward, into oneself, through layers of distortion, fragmentation, and ultimately, recognition. Korravai shared personal experiences of body dysmorphia and identity struggles, and I wanted the cover to reflect this in an unflinching but artful way. Elements of body horror became an important symbolic thread, speaking to the discomfort of inhabiting a body that feels alien, while also hinting at the transformation that emerges from that descent.

To ground this story in context, I turned to Korravai’s musical and cultural references. Pink Floyd, Quadeca, and Kendrick Lamar informed the aesthetic direction—psychedelic vibrancy, textured grit, and layered symbolism. The trans flag inspired the foundational color palette, anchoring the design in both personal and political resonance. Finally, I wove in Tamil iconography as a repeating pattern, honoring Korravai’s heritage and the goddess whose name they carry. This synthesis of cultural and personal symbolism created an image that is both intimate and universal.