Behind the Cover Art: The Journey to Seventeen

Sometimes, the story behind a song becomes almost as meaningful as the song itself. For Seventeen, arriving October 30, Nathan Collins brought his social media followers along for the creative journey of making its cover art. What began as a hands-on art project became a night of nostalgia, friendship, photography — and an unexpected decision to start again.

Starting With an Idea

Nathan began by purchasing a pair of joggers and customizing them by hand with paint, building the single's visual direction himself. It was a chance to make something personal and invite his audience into the process, rather than simply reveal the finished image.

Returning to Where It All Began

The journey took him to Macon, Georgia, where he first experienced a professional recording studio. Returning brought that early chapter of his music career into conversation with the work he is making now. During the trip, he also toured an expansion of the studio where that experience began.

With his friends Kevin and Ben, Nathan spent the night exploring and taking photographs. They grabbed burgers, walked through Macon, revisited venues where he had performed, and made a new friend along the way. Familiar places and spontaneous moments became part of the project's visual story.

The First Cover Wasn't the Final Cover

Once the photos and artwork came together, Nathan submitted Seventeen for distribution. Then he realized the cover wasn't right. Rather than settle for a design he no longer felt represented the single, he started over from scratch, working against the release timeline to find a new direction.

The restart didn't derail the release: Nathan completed the new artwork in time. It was a reminder that recognizing when something needs to change can be just as important as knowing how to finish it.

More Than a Cover

Across three behind-the-scenes videos, Nathan shared the work, memories, and decisions behind the finished artwork. From painting clothing to revisiting the beginning of his professional studio experience, the journey connected his present music with the people and places that helped shape it.

Seventeen arrives October 30, 2026. Its cover carries a story of experimentation, friendship, and the willingness to begin again when something doesn't feel right.