The document analyzes the design conventions of various album back covers. It finds that while designs vary, most back covers include certain standard elements like a barcode, track listing, and copyright information. Track listings in particular are usually numbered and formatted neatly in columns. The document also notes that back cover designs often complement the front cover design with continuity of images, fonts, and color schemes. Overall, it advocates for a simple, clean design that effectively presents required information without overwhelming the viewer.

1. Tara Burton

2. Barcode
List of tracks on
album,
numbered in
order.
Unconventionall
y the list of
tracks is placed
in an angle
across the top
rather than
listed down the
left hand side of
the back cover.
Record label
logo
In smaller print the name of the
executive producer and further legal
copyright information and artists
website.
Clear colour
scheme followed
Image of artist,
similar to the front
cover to show
continuity.
Album name
printed larger
than the artists
name, however
they are shown
in the largest
font size and
placed rather
central on the
back cover.

3. Barcode
Image of
artist, similar
style to front
cover but
shows a full
body shot of
the artist
rather than
just a close
up.
List of tracks
on album,
conventionally
placed on one
side of the
album,
however they
are not
numbered in
order.
In smaller print the copyright information is
placed underneath the record label logo in
white font colour.
The executive producer and further information
is placed under the track list in the same font
colour but in a slightly smaller font size.

4. Simple black
and white
colour
scheme,
basic design
that is easy
to
understand
and follow.
Uses the same image on
the front cover but fills
with track list information
rather than the bands
name.
The track list is
unconventionally placed in the
centre of the cover, however
conventionally the tracks are
numbered.
BarcodeThere is no image of
the band or their
name placed on the
back cover.
In smaller print the
copyright information and
record label logo is
placed next to the
barcode vertically in
smaller font size.

5. Image of
artist, similar
style to front
cover.
The track list
is
conventionall
y placed to
the side of
the cover,
however the
tracks are not
numbered.
BarcodeRecord label logos are placed at the bottom of
the cover, also the bottom of the cover and
underneath the artists image is the copyright
information and the artists websites.
Above the
barcode –
executive
producer.
The name of the artist and album is not shown on the back
cover, however there is simple conventional layout to the
cover with the artist placed on the left and the track list on
the right with the additional information on the bottom.

6. Unconventio
nally there is
no barcode,
legal/copyrig
ht
information
and image if
the band or
band name.
The track
list is
centred on
the back
cover,
however
they are not
numbered.
Use of artwork
and design is
similar to the
front cover.
Bright and vibrant design is used, also due to
the fact the band being that well known this
artwork is instantly associated with them,
therefore no need to display an image of
them or their name.
The font reflects the style of the
design and is used on both the front
and back cover, shows continuity.

7. Image of the band is
integrated into the back
cover design.
Barcod
e
List of tracks featured
on the album,
conventionally
numbered in order.
Record label
logos
Copyright
information
A colour scheme is
followed, darkness
around the edge of
cover, allows more focus
on the track list and the
band holding the sign.
This is not a
typical design
for album back
covers,
however the
typical
conventions are
followed. The
design
promotes the
band as the
main focal
point, because
of their
established fan
base.

8. An image is shown
of the artist,
however only the
back of her is
exposed to the
consumers, the shot
reveals her
dominance as she is
looking over a city
and because she is
known all over the
world there is no
need to show her
face, also her body
is idolised as this
shot reveals. Barcod
eCopyright/legal
information
Record
label
logos
Executive
producer and
artists website
address.
The track list
is displayed
to the right
and they are
numbered.
The artists name is branded across the top of
the cover, in a bolder font than the rest of the
text.

9. The track list is
numbered and
the font follows
the style of the
band and
genre.
Barcode
Copyright
and legal
informatio
n
Record
label logos
The main image used for the back cover design is of band
members, it follows the style and genre the band are associated
with. For example the blurred look of the image and the iconic
symbol of the cigarette are connected with the indie/rock image and
lifestyle which this band are associated with.
Simple but effective design, allows the audience to
understand the type of music to expect from this album.

10. In conclusion, similarly to my analysis of album front covers, I found
there is a wide variety, in terms of design in album back covers.
However I also established from my analysis that various features are
unavoidable on album back covers, such as the barcode, track listing
and copyright information. Even though these conventions are found on
the majority of album back covers , there is a small minority that do not
feature these conventions, for example Coldplays ‘Mylo Xyloto’ album
does not include either a barcode or legal copyright information. The
main convention I found that most album back covers include is listing
of the tracks included on the album, most of the time the tracks are
numbered and columned and think this is done so it is easy to follow
and looks neat on the cover. When it comes to designing my own back
cover I think that following a simple style that links to the front cover is
professional decision. As from my analysis I found that most back
covers follow a simple style because of the information that is generally
included needs to be noticed and not emerged into the background of a
complex artwork design.