From the category archives:

Design

The Worst Album Covers of 2009

by Disc Makers December 3, 2009

sum41 While we usually publish articles about good design and techniques, Pitchfork’s list of “The Worst Album Covers of 2009″ was just too fun to skip.

Our annual tradition highlighting the worst cover art of the year– goofy, offensive, amateurish, and puzzling, it’s all here– continues with the dregs of 2009. Not safe for people at work or those prone to nausea.

Check out the full list here.

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Classic LP Covers and Why They’re Still So Fresh Today

by Disc Makers October 26, 2009

The 1st album cover, created by Alex SteinweissIn 1938, Alex Steinweiss invented the album cover. It’s almost unimaginable that there was a time when records didn’t have covers (up until that point, they were sold in relatively plain brown paper wrappers advertising the record companies. See photo at right). Steinweiss’s idea was a huge marketing success which exploded into a new and exciting world of art and design. Now artists could explore their creativity in more expressive ways in a new commercial market. During the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s Jim Flora, Ben Shahn, Rudolph de Harak, Reid Miles, Steinweiss, and even Andy Warhol were major contributors to album cover design. Read more…

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6 Key Ingredients for Creating Good Photos

by Disc Makers October 5, 2009

janisWhat do you first notice when you see a CD cover? My guess is it’s the image, whether it’s an illustration or a photo. The images on your package can make or break the design and be the difference between getting noticed or being left on the shelf. In many cases, a great design starts with great photos. The images are what “drive” the design. If you plan to include photos of you or your band, you want those photos to look professional. Read more…

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5 Common MySpace Mistakes

by Scott James September 4, 2009

I encounter a lot of Myspace music profiles. As a web designer who focuses on musicians, I spend plenty of time marketing to bands and artists on Myspace. In my time doing so, I’ve come across some things that a lot of people seem to get wrong. Read more…

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Design Matters: Amy E.

by Disc Makers August 26, 2009

K-PraizeThis week we’ve interviewed Amy, a designer from our Design Studio. Amy’s design for Kingdom Certified was selected for the Design Studio’s Catalog Cover Search. Below, we have asked her a few questions about this particular design as well as a few general questions about what inspires her as an artist. Read more…

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Finding Inspiration

by Disc Makers August 25, 2009

Finding InspirationInspiration is the spark that fuels creative work. As a graphic designer and a musician, I know how easy/difficult it can be to find that spark. I don’t see inspiration as an object to be sought out in old books or in dusty corners of the internet. It’s something that needs to be found within, nurtured, and applied to your everyday life. The good thing is that inspiration comes from just about anywhere as long as you keep your mind hungry for it, and allow your experience and taste to guide you.

That being said, here are a few places that really put me in the mood to be inspired. Hint: If you’re looking for ideas for your next album package design, these are some great resources! Read more…

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Fonts 101

by Disc Makers August 24, 2009

Choosing fonts is a crucial element of designing a project. If you’ve never noticed, there are thousands of different fonts out there to choose from. Choosing a font can be quite intimidating! Here are a few bits of information to help you decide how to pick a certain font.

Styles of Typefaces.
Fonts are classified in a few basic ways: Serif, Sans Serif, Display, Dingbats and Script. Read more…

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Design Matters: Jessica F.

by Disc Makers August 4, 2009

Music In The Commons

This week we’ve interviewed Jessica, a designer from our Design Studio. Jessica’s design for Music in the Commons was selected as a finalist in the Design Studio’s Catalog Cover Search. Below, we have asked her a few questions about this particular design as well as a few general questions about what inspires her as an artist. Read more…

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Design Matters: Gary W.

by Disc Makers July 29, 2009

Marsupial

This week we’ve interviewed Gary, a designer from our Design Studio. Gary’s design for Marsupial was selected as a finalist in the Design Studio’s Catalog Cover Search. Below, we have asked him a few questions about this particular design as well as a few general questions about what inspires him as an artist. Read more…

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Safety and Bleed: An Interpretive Ballad

by Disc Makers July 23, 2009

Safety and Bleed

Chris from our Pre-Press department sings his heart out about safety and bleed (two important things you’ll need to ensure the best results with your supplied design). Watch video.

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