Mood Boards
I'm not sure which way I'm headed with the CD design so I start again by creating a mood board of "grungey" CD designs. This is to gather some sort of idea of what rock music - most specifically post-hardcore bands - would have on their designs and if there is a specific style similarity. I have also looked at the bands that Jonny Pain had mentioned that inspired them.
Resources: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/08/03/35-beautiful-music-album-covers/ Gothic CD Cover Design MoonRing Designs http://sdeturck.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/dutch-darkness/ http://www.pwelverumandsun.com/store http://blog.blastyle.com/labels/album%20cover.html http://www.989thedrive.com/thedrive/?tag=my-chemical-romance#.UNY5HomLKpY http://www.freecodesource.com/album-covers/B00006EXL5--my-chemical-romance-i-brought-you-my-bullets,-you-brought-me-your-love-album-cover.html http://shop.silverdisc.com/rock/30-seconds-to-mars-this-is-war-vinyl-309433/ http://www.youthedesigner.com/2012/09/07/you-be-inspired-best-designed-music-album-covers/ http://www.behance.net/gallery/Album-cover-for-Lucas-Nord-Let-Us-Stay-Young/2648951 http://www.behance.net/gallery/Music-Album-Covers/2766635 http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fenisia-Lucifer/6377569 http://www.behance.net/gallery/Dark-Radio-Album-cover-study/4031135 http://www.behance.net/gallery/Album-cover/6145761
Inspirational CD Covers
I have decided to take some of the designs shown in my moodboards to analyse them a bit further, and pick out the elements that can serve as inspirations to me. I also need to figure out if the album cover design relates to the name in some way.
What I would also need to look out for is how they used typefaces in their work, because I need to decide which ones to use for my design and also if they are to be of the same typeface.
When I scrolled through Foo Fighter’s albums this was the one that really caught my eye. I think it’s because the shadow beneath the main image makes it look more 3D so that it jumps out of the page at me. It matches perfectly with the album title “In Your Honour” because this image looks like a shield or a herald of some sort.
The banner itself doesn’t look as 3D as the rest of the image because there’s no big hint of a shadow apart from the one that outlines it. I think this might be also because there’s no lighting on the banner but if there was this could probably make the design “too busy” because of the detailed cloth, eagle and basically just everything else. It really grounds the design so that it’s not overpowering.
They type that they have used is quite interesting because instead of using something to reflect the “honourable” words (so maybe something like medieval script or even a typeface that would be used upon shields) they went along and used something that looks like it would appear in a cowboy film. This might be due to the link to their heritage – they’re American – and the eagle right above the banner supports this connotation.
The texturing in the cloth is so realistic that I could almost feel the velvet because the folds had been so well painted. Even if they used a photo it’s still a really good effect! The way that they have been set out reminds me of the cloth hanging off the trumpets at an important event.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is the one used for the band name - Foo Fighters - as the point size is much larger, and the type more decorative.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is the one used for the band name - Foo Fighters - as the point size is much larger, and the type more decorative.
Conclusion: I really like how there is a definite theme within this design; they are standing up for their country by using the symbol of an eagle and the vintage American type. The detail in this is incredible yet not overpowering. This design shows that it does link in with the album name "In Your Honor".
This was the album design recommended by Jonny Pain, so it was one of the first that I looked at. I have to admit that I’m really intrigued by this design because there’s always something new to look at due to the endless amount of detail. Just look at those buildings! They look so real because they have the perfect amount of shading and lighting – and just detail in general – and they fade out into the distance, exactly how a city landscape should look like. At first I didn’t notice the Tower Bridge until now as I’m writing about it! Just shows that there’s always something to capture my attention.
The first thing my eyes went to though was the skeleton face looking down onto the city, but because of it’s hollow eyes it feels as if it’s staring right at me. It’s face is formed by the surrounding clouds – which I now notice has several other faces looming in them - which is perfect because then it blends perfectly into the background without “popping out” from the page too much.
The title and band name hovers just above this skeleton face so that it is also the main focus of the whole design. I like how its not too bold so that the viewer isn’t too distracted by it, and this makes the skeleton face more memorable as it stands out more than the words.
In relation to the type: Like the Foo Fighters, the main typeface seems to be the band name as it's larger and more decorative. When I looked at their other album covers I noticed that they have used the same typeface for the band name - this made me realise that this is, in fact, their logo.
The typefaces and the colours used for each name are different, and this might be because the designers didn't want the whole thing looking too busy due to the amount of detail already in the illustration.
In relation to the type: Like the Foo Fighters, the main typeface seems to be the band name as it's larger and more decorative. When I looked at their other album covers I noticed that they have used the same typeface for the band name - this made me realise that this is, in fact, their logo.
The typefaces and the colours used for each name are different, and this might be because the designers didn't want the whole thing looking too busy due to the amount of detail already in the illustration.
Conclusion: Because this is the CD design that Jonny Pain recommended I’m going to design something similar but not too much that it looks exactly the same, so this will act as my main source of inspiration.
I really love the amount of detail in this and I can only imagine how long it took the designer to do all of those little buildings!
All in all, the design has been cleverly done. This is because there are some famous landmarks that we could universally recognise, but they've all been jumbled up in the same place! So this really is a whole new world that the designer has produced, and therefore links to the album title.
All in all, the design has been cleverly done. This is because there are some famous landmarks that we could universally recognise, but they've all been jumbled up in the same place! So this really is a whole new world that the designer has produced, and therefore links to the album title.
Compared to the other designs that I’ve analysed, this one isn’t as detailed but I love it all the same! I think it’s because the magnetic lines really draws me in so I find myself staring right down into the grave at the metal coffin, which is kind of creepy but not so creepy at the same time. I think I might use a similar method (to the lines, that is, not the whole grave-and-coffin-thing).
The mud that forms the grave has sufficient enough detail because it creates a realistic texture to it. The mud then trails off to form the lines.
The type is very light but surprisingly I can still fathom it, yet I feel that they should’ve added a drop shadow so that it stands out a bit more and so that it’s easier to read (because when I zoom out it’s a bit more difficult to make out the words).
In relation to the type: The band name is the main typeface here and they have used their logo as well, just like Iron Maiden has. The type has been made to reflect the name of the album and they have used the same one for both of the names.
In relation to the type: The band name is the main typeface here and they have used their logo as well, just like Iron Maiden has. The type has been made to reflect the name of the album and they have used the same one for both of the names.
Conclusion: I like the magnetic lines that surround the grave, and I hope to use something similar in my design as a subtle effect to draw my viewer in.
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This happens to be one of my favourite album covers of all time, and even though Jonny Pain didn’t mention them (Within Temptation) as an inspiration I wanted to go ahead and analyse their album design anyway.
The first thing I want to point out is the fantasy factor of this design; the clouds, the blindfolded woman (Sharon Den Adel) and the doves bring above all sorts of connotations. Her blindfold and the way she’s balancing the rosemary beads and the dove is a pose copied from Lady Justice, also known as Themis in Ancient Grecian myth. Lady Justice also links to the Egyptian goddess Maat who balances truth and fairness.
Now in Western culture the doves symbolise purity, which could reflect the personality of the blindfolded character. Yet just behind her on our left there is a black shadow of a crow that could show her hidden secrets and evil.
The clouds behind her are heavenly, so all in all this design shows righteousness, purity and justice with an overhanging shadow of evil.
The typeface reminds me of that engraved on gravestones, and to support this idea the T in Heart looks like a cross.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, once again, the band name. They have used the same typeface for the album name but in a smaller pt. size as well as a different colour.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, once again, the band name. They have used the same typeface for the album name but in a smaller pt. size as well as a different colour.
Conclusion: There are many religious symbols in this design that balances truth and evil, which just shows that even album covers can have their own little story to them. I just love how all of the elements are laid out so that we look directly at the centre, and then our eyes would move up to the album name and band name, and then we’ll notice the crow.
The only thing is... Does the design relate to the album title? It's a bit difficult because of how abstract the design is. In my point of view I must say that it does because there is a balance between good and evil, but this might not be so obvious to others.
The only thing is... Does the design relate to the album title? It's a bit difficult because of how abstract the design is. In my point of view I must say that it does because there is a balance between good and evil, but this might not be so obvious to others.
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Compared to the other
CD covers I have analysed, this one is much lighter due to the colour scheme
they have used. There is a lack of shadows as well so it looks as if the
landscape – although heavily photo-shopped – is basked in sunlight. This is
almost unbearably light but we are saved by type, which is quite dark in comparison
to the background. It’s quite elegant which contrasts with the tree and it’s
spider branches and the scratched texture. It appears to be freehand and this could
reflect the nature of the band having free will when it comes to writing and
performing their music. Due to it’s vertical orientation it reminds me of the
tree next to it; the D is quite thick, and then the type then gets thinner
towards the top which is like the tree roots and branches. The texture of the
type reminds me of the tree bark and looks very similar to the tree as well.
If it hadn’t been for the scratched texture in the background
and the overall heavily photo-shopped appearance I wouldn’t have thought that
this CD Cover represented a rock band as it’s very organic and light. This
shows that it’s more personal to the band.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, obviously, the band name. In fact it was hard for me to figure out where the album name is when I realised that they used an overlapping effect for it right under the "ana" of Havana. This might be due to the designer wanting the illustration to differentiate each album cover.
They seem to be using the same typeface though, although the album name is at a much smaller pt size.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, obviously, the band name. In fact it was hard for me to figure out where the album name is when I realised that they used an overlapping effect for it right under the "ana" of Havana. This might be due to the designer wanting the illustration to differentiate each album cover.
They seem to be using the same typeface though, although the album name is at a much smaller pt size.
Conclusion: I like that despite there not being a lot of
elements within the design, it doesn’t look too empty because the texturing and
the positioning of the type makes up for it due to its size (well, for the type
anyway).
Out of all of the Bon Jovi album covers, this
was the one that attracted my attention the most. I think it’s because of the
well defined lines in the angel wings, dagger and heart as it reminds me of the
style of art that I really like. There are heavier lines on the outsides and
also on the places where there would be shadow to make it appear more 3D. It
reminds me of the Art Nouveau movement’s style.
The way they have shaded the icon is similar to Art Nouveau
as well because it’s very simple, and the shapes of the shadows are very clear.
There is a slight hint of a gradient as well which I have seen in Art
Nouveau-inspired paintings.
Like Within Temptation’s cover, the type on this one reminds
me of those found on gravestones, and the diamond that splits Bon from the Jovi
brings up the connotation of Roman numerals. This could show that Bon Jovi is a
legendary band and well known, much like the Romans were.
There isn’t much else apart from the type and the icon on
the page, and this means that each element has room to breathe. The black
background makes the design appear “full”.
In relation to the type: Both typefaces are the same but at different sizes, and there is more of a gradient on "Bon Jovi".
In relation to the type: Both typefaces are the same but at different sizes, and there is more of a gradient on "Bon Jovi".
Conclusion: I just love the variance of thickness in the
lines, as it really brings the icon up slightly and makes it appear 3D. Because
the type isn’t heavily shaded it makes the icon the main focus point, which
gradually leads the eye to the band name and title.
Unlike all of the other designs I have analysed, this album design doesn't relate to its title.
Silverstein is a post-hardcore band, the same genre that Jonny Pain belongs to.
As you can see there is a consistency in the design of the typeface for "Silverstein", and I can't seem to find their logo from the front covers. However the type used for the album name is different.
A Shipwreck in the Sand - From what I can see at first the album cover design has no link to the album name other than the typeface they have chosen for it. It reminds me of pirates because of its decorative features and thick lettering as well as the swash at the end of K that connects to D in Sand. So the type itself links perfectly with the name.
When I look closer I came to realise that the house on fire actually does relate the title in an abstract sense. This is because when there has been a battle at sea one of the ships - or both ships - would be aflame due to the cannons, and the house is on fire to reflect that. There are signs of battle all around the piece; the planes just over to the left, and the demolished buildings on the right.
When Broken is Easily Fixed - By using a robot they have related it to humans to show that even beings without blood rushing through their veins they still have feelings, and the object that this one is cradling in its hands is quite obviously the heart despite only having a very basic shape. So even though this robot is "broken", it still has a functioning heart.
This shows that the image links in with the name due to the reasons I have mentioned above.
Discovering the Waterfront - The link with the name is pretty obvious; the figure is at the edge of a bank with their hand reaching out to the water. It's difficult to tell whether they are frightened of discovering the water as their face is hidden by their hair - this attracts the viewer even more as it irritates them to see that the person's face is hidden. In Victorian times this wasn't generally accepted in art - from what I know - because facial expressions could describe a piece in a completely different way.
Like the previous album, the type is rather minimalist as they have placed more of an emphasis on the image itself.
In relation to the type: The main focal attention this time is in fact on the album title, which is a contrast to all of the other designs that I have analysed. This shows that there really is no right or wrong when it comes to typeface choice and that it's all down to personal preference. Just because the designers made the album the main focal attention it doesn't mean that they're wrong.
Conclusion: All of these images or the type links in with their album, whether it's in an obvious or abstract manner.
This was another one of the CD covers that Jonny Pain had sent me. I am immediately attracted to the type they've used in Intohimo; it's grungy, gothic, and the "drips" at the bottom of each letter creates the appearance of ice - linking in to the snow mountain behind it.
It also reminds me of metal because of the sharp corners and the strict alignment of the word. Each letter is going the same way as each other, although the bottom is jagged and this reminds me of icicles.
The circle beneath the type brings it out from the background despite it's low opacity. This might be because the background is very decorative, and so by using a slightly opaque circle more attention would be added onto the type. To help the viewer focus even more on the type they had chosen an mountainous image with deep shadows to bring out the white colour. The highlight on the right side of the mountain curls upwards so that the viewer's eyes follow it up to the direction of the type.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is Intohimo, as it's large and decorative whereas the other lies just beneath in a small pt size with a basic form so that it doesn't detract any attention from Intohimo. The Intohimo typeface relates to the subject of the album "Northern Lights" because whenever I think of the northern lights I immediately think of tall mountains with the aurora borealis glistening over the top.
Conclusion: I just love how they made the type decorative, even though it's only subtle like making the bottom of the letters drip slightly and adding a sort of "rusty" texture to it. The designer has been very clever when it comes to choosing the right photography because everything leads the eye to the type.
This album has more of a focus on the illustration rather than the type, and so I'm quite surprised when I realised that there isn't really much detail. This is because of the shading; the shadows of the trees is quite bumpy to show that it's being thrown upon uneven snow. There a little specks of snow to emphasise that it's snowing although there isn't a lot of it so that it doesn't overpower the shape of the branches and leaves.
The branches thin out towards the centre of the illustration, creating a sense of depth so that the tree on the right is in front of them all, and to push this tree up off the page a bit they have made it a lot darker and in more detail.
The other branches actually reminds me of Charles Keeping's inking technique because they are very thin and fragile-looking.
After looking around the illustration we finally stumble upon the small type at the bottom. Because of it's size as well as it's colour it was hard to see the type at first, as I was too distracted with the branches and snowflakes. This is unusual for an album cover because the name is, obviously, very important as it identifies the band. It's in a serif front - though the serifs are small - and the letters look somewhat squashed together slightly because of the small kerning.
In relation to the type: The only typeface is the one seen at the very bottom, which is the URL of the band's website. It's strange because I would've at least expected the band's name to be on the design. Hmm.
Because of this I decided to look at another one of their album covers because I was interested to find out whether this lack of type was consistent in their designs.
Thankfully the lack of type wasn't consistent, because on this design the band name is clearly shown alongside the album name. The type for the band name is very decorative and I immediately think of magic and fantasy because of the elegant spurs and the small embellishment in the D and between the T and S.
The second typeface is at a smaller pt size although it seems that it is the same as the band name's. This is unusual because the type would normally be different - and I assumed it was different at first - but I think that because it doesn't have as many embellishments it doesn't detract any attention away from the main type.
I have to admit that the illustration is very gloomy, so gloomy that it brought up all connotations of witchcraft and medieval superstitions because of the pointed beak of the large creature. This is because during the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) the doctors dress in a large tunic with a "beak" to cover their mouths from bacteria that was stuffed with herbs and spices. I don't think I'll be listening to their music after this...
Apart from that, I really like how the illustration has been done because although it's sketchy there is always something to look at. Like the birds in the sky, the small branches creeping up the creature, and the texture of the creature's cloak. It is very gloomy because of the colour scheme they had chosen which emphasises the "gothic" feel.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, like most album covers, the band name with the album name directly underneath. Because of how close the second is to the first it looks as if they all belong together as one object, and gives plenty of room for the illustration to breathe.
Conclusion: I think Les Discrets sticks strongly to their genre through the use of gloomy, sketchy illustrations. Their elegant typeface reminds me of the one used for Evanescence, so I automatically linked the genre to Evanescence's genre without realising. This has made me realise that when I pick out my typeface I need to make sure it's not too similar to another band or people would link it with the other band.
Unlike all of the other designs I have analysed, this album design doesn't relate to its title.
As you can see there is a consistency in the design of the typeface for "Silverstein", and I can't seem to find their logo from the front covers. However the type used for the album name is different.
A Shipwreck in the Sand - From what I can see at first the album cover design has no link to the album name other than the typeface they have chosen for it. It reminds me of pirates because of its decorative features and thick lettering as well as the swash at the end of K that connects to D in Sand. So the type itself links perfectly with the name.
When I look closer I came to realise that the house on fire actually does relate the title in an abstract sense. This is because when there has been a battle at sea one of the ships - or both ships - would be aflame due to the cannons, and the house is on fire to reflect that. There are signs of battle all around the piece; the planes just over to the left, and the demolished buildings on the right.
When Broken is Easily Fixed - By using a robot they have related it to humans to show that even beings without blood rushing through their veins they still have feelings, and the object that this one is cradling in its hands is quite obviously the heart despite only having a very basic shape. So even though this robot is "broken", it still has a functioning heart.
This shows that the image links in with the name due to the reasons I have mentioned above.
Discovering the Waterfront - The link with the name is pretty obvious; the figure is at the edge of a bank with their hand reaching out to the water. It's difficult to tell whether they are frightened of discovering the water as their face is hidden by their hair - this attracts the viewer even more as it irritates them to see that the person's face is hidden. In Victorian times this wasn't generally accepted in art - from what I know - because facial expressions could describe a piece in a completely different way.
Like the previous album, the type is rather minimalist as they have placed more of an emphasis on the image itself.
In relation to the type: The main focal attention this time is in fact on the album title, which is a contrast to all of the other designs that I have analysed. This shows that there really is no right or wrong when it comes to typeface choice and that it's all down to personal preference. Just because the designers made the album the main focal attention it doesn't mean that they're wrong.
Conclusion: All of these images or the type links in with their album, whether it's in an obvious or abstract manner.
This was another one of the CD covers that Jonny Pain had sent me. I am immediately attracted to the type they've used in Intohimo; it's grungy, gothic, and the "drips" at the bottom of each letter creates the appearance of ice - linking in to the snow mountain behind it.
It also reminds me of metal because of the sharp corners and the strict alignment of the word. Each letter is going the same way as each other, although the bottom is jagged and this reminds me of icicles.
The circle beneath the type brings it out from the background despite it's low opacity. This might be because the background is very decorative, and so by using a slightly opaque circle more attention would be added onto the type. To help the viewer focus even more on the type they had chosen an mountainous image with deep shadows to bring out the white colour. The highlight on the right side of the mountain curls upwards so that the viewer's eyes follow it up to the direction of the type.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is Intohimo, as it's large and decorative whereas the other lies just beneath in a small pt size with a basic form so that it doesn't detract any attention from Intohimo. The Intohimo typeface relates to the subject of the album "Northern Lights" because whenever I think of the northern lights I immediately think of tall mountains with the aurora borealis glistening over the top.
Conclusion: I just love how they made the type decorative, even though it's only subtle like making the bottom of the letters drip slightly and adding a sort of "rusty" texture to it. The designer has been very clever when it comes to choosing the right photography because everything leads the eye to the type.
The branches thin out towards the centre of the illustration, creating a sense of depth so that the tree on the right is in front of them all, and to push this tree up off the page a bit they have made it a lot darker and in more detail.
The other branches actually reminds me of Charles Keeping's inking technique because they are very thin and fragile-looking.
After looking around the illustration we finally stumble upon the small type at the bottom. Because of it's size as well as it's colour it was hard to see the type at first, as I was too distracted with the branches and snowflakes. This is unusual for an album cover because the name is, obviously, very important as it identifies the band. It's in a serif front - though the serifs are small - and the letters look somewhat squashed together slightly because of the small kerning.
In relation to the type: The only typeface is the one seen at the very bottom, which is the URL of the band's website. It's strange because I would've at least expected the band's name to be on the design. Hmm.
Because of this I decided to look at another one of their album covers because I was interested to find out whether this lack of type was consistent in their designs.
The second typeface is at a smaller pt size although it seems that it is the same as the band name's. This is unusual because the type would normally be different - and I assumed it was different at first - but I think that because it doesn't have as many embellishments it doesn't detract any attention away from the main type.
I have to admit that the illustration is very gloomy, so gloomy that it brought up all connotations of witchcraft and medieval superstitions because of the pointed beak of the large creature. This is because during the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) the doctors dress in a large tunic with a "beak" to cover their mouths from bacteria that was stuffed with herbs and spices. I don't think I'll be listening to their music after this...
Apart from that, I really like how the illustration has been done because although it's sketchy there is always something to look at. Like the birds in the sky, the small branches creeping up the creature, and the texture of the creature's cloak. It is very gloomy because of the colour scheme they had chosen which emphasises the "gothic" feel.
In relation to the type: The main typeface is, like most album covers, the band name with the album name directly underneath. Because of how close the second is to the first it looks as if they all belong together as one object, and gives plenty of room for the illustration to breathe.
Conclusion: I think Les Discrets sticks strongly to their genre through the use of gloomy, sketchy illustrations. Their elegant typeface reminds me of the one used for Evanescence, so I automatically linked the genre to Evanescence's genre without realising. This has made me realise that when I pick out my typeface I need to make sure it's not too similar to another band or people would link it with the other band.
Image resources: http://www.ironmaidenwallpaper.com/albumcovers.html http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_62253/foo-fighters/albumcovers_10 http://pastresignations.blogspot.co.uk/p/discography.html http://ultraviolet707.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/within-temptation-album-cover-art-past.html http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/112350829-deaf-havana-smiles-all-round- http://www.free-covers.org/cd-covers/bon-jovi-greatest-hits-the-ultimate-collect-cd-cover-17144.html http://www.uulyrics.com/music/silverstein/song-my-heroine/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SilversteinWhenBrokenIsEasilyFixed.jpg http://www.drivenfaroff.com/2009/03/25/silverstein-stream-new-album/
Overall Conclusion: By analysing some of the CD covers that I had collected for my mood boards I can see how and why these are so inspiring, and they could also help me out in my designing process. Especially the Iron Maiden CD cover in particular because this was the one Jonny Pain had said that they are inspired by.
They would also give me an idea of how type is set out as well as all of the other design elements. I now know how type could effect the whole design, and that in the end it's down to personal preferences if the main typeface is the band or album name. In my own opinion I think it's easier to identify a CD by first the band name then the album name.
CD Cover Dimensions
Even though I have already started designing my cd covers alongside doing the research, I need to look into what kind of dimensions I have to use for it.
I was kind of silly and didn't see that my lecturers had already put up the CD templates up on moodle, so I was a bit stuck because there were so many websites saying different things... Thankfully a colleague mentioned to me that templates were already provided so here are the links they gave us.
I just need to figure out which templates I need to use, and what dimensions these templates would be. I am more likely to use a generic template so that I could easily buy a blank CD case to insert my design into it so that I could view the final design as accurately as possible.
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