Deftones’ White Pony sleeve was created from a simple, free clip-art outline of a pony, chosen by singer Chino Moreno before the band had written the album. The article argues that this stripped-back image became inseparable from the record’s identity, helping to signal the group’s move beyond the nu-metal label and reinforcing the album’s lasting cultural status.

Released in 2000 as Deftones’ third studio album, White Pony paired its minimal design with music that broadened the band’s sound through atmospheric and experimental elements. Moreno has said the title drew on a lyric referring to drugs, while the pony graphic became the band’s visual emblem; the cover appeared in several colour variations, although the original used a grey background and white horse.