December's Wildfire
Iby GBnxtdoor
EP Case Study
EP Case Study
December’s Wildfire is a conceptual EP exploring emotional volatility, self‑reflection, and the tension between destruction and rebirth. The project blends alternative R&B, moody production, and introspective lyricism to create a cohesive sonic and visual world.
My role was to shape the creative identity of the entire era — from brand positioning and visual language to rollout strategy, content production, and the direction of the lead single’s music video. The goal was to introduce a more mature, intentional version of gbnxtdoor while building a unified aesthetic across all platforms.
I developed a visual and thematic identity for the EP rooted in contrast:
fire vs. stillness, chaos vs. clarity, vulnerability vs. emotional distance.
EP‑level creative direction included:
Establishing a cinematic, shadow‑driven aesthetic for the entire era
Creating a unified color palette (deep reds, bright green, crisp white shirt)
Designing moodboards for the EP’s worldbuilding
Guiding styling choices to reflect emotional evolution
Ensuring all visuals — photos, teasers, cover art — felt connected
Positioning the EP as a cohesive emotional narrative rather than a collection of songs
This direction became the foundation for the single artwork, social content, and music video.
Strategy & Execution
Designed a structured pre‑release timeline with teaser clips and lyric‑driven content
Coordinated distribution setup and metadata organization
Planned release‑day content optimized for engagement
Developed post‑release momentum content to extend visibility
Identified micro‑communities aligned with the song’s theme
Content Production
Organized a model and a videographer for cover art and promotional visuals
Directed short‑form video concepts for TikTok and Reels
Edited and optimized behind-the-scenes content for platform‑specific performance
Ensured all visuals aligned with the emotional tone of the record
Audience Growth & Analytics
Targeted communities aligned with heartbreak, resilience, and alternative R&B
Monitored early engagement to refine posting strategy
Supported playlist submissions to independent curators
Tracked audience behavior and early performance indicators
Project Management
Managed all creative assets through a secure 2TB Dropbox
Coordinated communication between the artist and creative partners
Provided feedback on mixes, visuals, and content drafts
Ensured deadlines and rollout milestones were met
All lyrics for December’s Wildfire were uploaded and synced across DSPs to ensure full platform optimization and listener accessibility.
“Immune to the Flame” is an introspective single exploring resilience, heartbreak, and emotional detachment. I led the creative direction, rollout strategy, and project execution to ensure the release felt emotionally grounded, visually cohesive, and aligned with the artist’s evolving sound.
Results / Highlights
Ranked #4 in total streams across recent releases
Outperformed tracks like “Modelz,” “Ramona,” and “MeanGirls” in early engagement
Demonstrated strong listener retention and playlist performance
Positioned as a sleeper favorite among emotionally driven singles
Used performance data to refine future rollout strategies and audience target
Music Video — Creative Direction & Production
by GB NxtDoor
The music video for Immune to the Flame served as the visual centerpiece of the December’s Wildfire era. It introduced the EP’s emotional tone, aesthetic identity, and narrative themes in a cinematic, story‑driven format.
Concept Development
The video explores emotional numbness and internal conflict through symbolic imagery and atmospheric visuals.
Concept elements included:
Fire as a metaphor for emotional burnout
Isolation and introspection as central themes
Slow, deliberate pacing to mirror the song’s tone
Maximalist set design to portray variety of emotion and contrast the low-key voice
Visual storytelling built around tension, restraint, and release
Pre‑Production
I led the full pre‑production process to ensure the video aligned with the EP’s identity.
Pre‑production responsibilities:
Developing the visual treatment and narrative outline
Creating a detailed moodboard for lighting, color, and framing
Coordinating location selection to match the EP’s aesthetic
Guiding wardrobe and styling to reflect the new brand identity
Collaborating with the videographer on shotlist and pacing
Managing scheduling, logistics, and production planning
Production
On set, I directed the creative execution to maintain emotional authenticity and visual cohesion.
Production responsibilities:
Directing performance, movement, and emotional delivery
Ensuring continuity across shots and scenes
Managing set flow and creative decision‑making
Collaborating closely with the videographer on framing and lighting
Adjusting scenes in real time to enhance narrative clarity
Post‑Production
I oversaw the editing process to ensure the final cut matched the EP’s tone.
Post‑production responsibilities:
Providing notes on pacing, transitions, and emotional beats
Guiding color grading to match the EP palette
Ensuring the final cut aligned with the brand identity
Preparing teaser clips and promotional edits for social rollout
Release Strategy
The music video was positioned as the emotional anchor of the EP rollout.
Strategy included:
Teaser clips released across TikTok and Instagram
Behind‑the‑scenes content to build anticipation
A coordinated release‑day posting plan
"Immune to the Flame" ranked #1 on the EP and #4 in total streams across recent releases on Apple Music, outperforming several later singles.