2. List of tracks
on the album
(but no track
numbers)
Simple black
and white
colour scheme
Barcode
Band’s website
Legal/copyright
information
Simple, basic
design that’s
easily
understandable
Handwritten style font to
make it look more personal
and less manufactured
SNOW PATROL A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS
3. PAOLO NUTINI THESE STREETS
List of tracks
on the album
(with track
numbers)
Name of the artist
printed again
More images of
the artist in a
similar style to
the front cover
Casual
costuming to
make him look
ordinary/down
to earth and to
suit the style
of music
Legal/copyright
information
Record
label logo
Barcode
Artist’s website and social media
profile, record label’s website
Bright vibrant
colour scheme
4. MIKA GRACE KELLY
List of tracks
on the album
(but no track
numbers)
Record label
logos
Legal/copyright
information
Artist’s website
Bright vibrant
colour scheme
Use of artwork
in a style
similar to the
front cover
Font that reflects the fun/upbeat style of
the design and of the artist
No barcode
5. TAYLOR SWIFT RED
List of tracks
on the album
(with track
numbers)
Unconventionally
displayed on an
angle instead of
the typical
column
Barcode
Record label logos
Album and
artist name
printed again
Image of the
artist, similar to
the one on the
front
Fairly simple colour scheme
that matches the front and
the name of the album itself
Legal/copyright information
Artist’s website
Name of executive producer
6. KATE NASH MY BEST FRIEND IS YOU
Simple, basic
design that’s
easily
understandable
Barcode
List of tracks on the album
(but no track numbers)
Legal/copyright
information
Record label
logo
Simple black
and off-white
colour scheme
7. FUN SOME NIGHTS
Simple black
and off-white
colour scheme
List of tracks on
the album (with
track numbers)
Displayed in
two columns
instead of the
conventional
one
Name of the album and
artist printed again
Barcode
Legal/copyright information
Record label
logo
Clear bold font that’s
become the band’s
trademark
8. MUMFORD & SONS SIGH NO MORE
One main image
(that links to the
front cover) as
the background
List of tracks
on the album
(but no track
numbers)
Unconventionally
displayed as a
wider column
with several
tracks per line
Simple colour scheme
created by the image, clear
and easily visible design
Barcode
Legal/copyright
information
Record
label logos
9. ADELE 21
List of tracks on
the album (with
track numbers)
Barcode
Record
label logo
Legal/copyright
information
Artist’s and record label’s websites
Image of the
artist, similar to
the one on the
front
Simple black
and white colour
scheme with
some colour
brought in with
the green text
Lighting to
emphasise her
features
Tracks listed in the conventional
one column but positioned to the
left instead of centrally
10. ARCTIC MONKEYS WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT’S WHAT I’M NOT
Main image
that relates to
the one on the
front
List of tracks
on the album
(but no track
numbers)
Barcode
Record label logo
Legal/copyright information
Simple black
and white
colour scheme
Tracks listed in the conventional
one column but positioned to the
left instead of centrally
Simple, easy
to read font
Mise-en-scene
relates to the
band’s aesthetic
11. ONE DIRECTION MIDNIGHT MEMORIES
List of tracks on
the album (with
track numbers)
displayed in the
convention one
column
Barcode
Image of the band
integrated into the
back cover design
Legal/copyright
information
Record
label logos
Slightly more
complex design
that promotes the
band as the focal
selling point –
which is expected
due to their
already
established fan
base
Darker colours around
the edge to make the
tracks stand out
12. DAMIEN RICE O
Simple design,
clear and easy
to read
Use of art similar
to the art style on
the front
List of tracks on
the album (with
track numbers)
displayed in the
convention one
column
Handwritten
style font to
make it look
more personal
and less
manufactured
Barcode
Basic use of off-white and
black with some colour
added by using art
Record
label logos Legal/copyright
information
Artist’s website
13. CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
• Just as with front covers, there is a lot of diversity in the
back cover of albums.
• Some features are unavoidable, such as the list of tracks
and inclusion of legal copyright information but in terms of
the design anything seems to go. I think the conventional
style of listing the tracks in one column is probably
conventional for a reason – it’s easy to read and follow
and looks neat.
• I like the idea of using an image or artwork that links to
the front cover and creates a cohesive style.
• The majority of back covers also seem to be fairly simple
and therefore look neat and professional, which is
something I want in my own work.
