Storm Thorgerson Process of working

1. STORM THORGERSON
By George Young

2. STORM THORGERSON
• Storm Thorgeson was an English Graphic Designer.
• He was best known for the work he did for Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin
amongst others
• He dominated the creative album artwork scene for the best of 40 years and
even spanned from Muse to Biffy Clyro

3. METHOD OF WORKING
• Storm Thorgeson was praised and copied for his way of working.
• He had 6 steps to completing successful album artwork
• 1.The Brief
• 2.Roughs
• 3.Tests
• 4.Shoot
• 5.Editing
• 6.Artwork

4. 1.THE BRIEF
• In this step Thorgerson would listen to the clients music, read the lyrics and he
would also talk to the band and generally immerse himself in the music and
genre itself. The immersion would help stimulate ideas and imagery in
Thorgerson`s head.

5. 2.ROUGHS
• The second step is Roughs. In this step, over a number of weeks or days the
client and Thorgerson would meet for more discussions. These discussions
were aimed at targeting any particular key theme the client wanted. From
these brief notes and scribbles Thorgerson would come up with sometimes a
rough idea/illustration.

6. 3.TESTS
• The third step is Tests. Once a rough idea/illustration is produced and
accepted by the band and a client budget is put in place. Thorgerson
would go on to create a prototype. Sometimes, in certain instances
Thorgerson would use clay or other moulding materials to make the
prototype. Then if everything works then the Final model is made.

7. 4.SHOOT
• In the 4th step Thorgerson would research a certain location and then book if
necessary. The models are created to scale and positioned, sometimes with
the help of volunteers. Then a variety of pictures are taken under different
lighting and weathers and filters.

8. 5.EDITING
• In the 5th step Thorgerson and the client would go through and pick their
favourite shot from the many different ones. The shot are thoroughly
compared and assessed.

9. 6.ARTWORK
• Then finally having chose the perfect shot the final amendments are
completed on computer and then handed over to the client ready to be
sold.