2. • The cover became an important part of the culture of music in the 60s and 70s. Under the
influence of designers like Bob Cato who at various stages in his long music career was vice
president of creative services at both Columbia Records and United Artists, album covers
became renowned for being a marketing tool and an expression of artistic intent.
• There are so many different types of album art that artists use to make their design successful
and effective.
3. Minimalistic
This style of album artwork is very plain and simple. The image can be a still image from the
video of one of the featuring songs that will enable the audience to relate to what it is. The
minimalistic and plain style can work extremely well and can entice the audience.
The XX-xx Arctic Monkeys- AM Ed Sheeran- X
4. Portrait
• This is usually a close up or direct picture of the album artist- it tends to fill the whole of
the album cover. The photo is usually air brushed and edited to make the artist look
perfect. This type of album cover is more often used for solo artists, rather than groups.
Rihanna- Loud Beyoncé- Sasha Fierce Adele- 21
5. Image based
• This is a very simple style of an album cover. The picture that is used needs to be
effective and be able to capture the audience. These types of pictures don’t usually
require any extra effects. The picture needs to be able to relate back to the artist and
their original idea for the album.
Bombay Bicycle Club- I Biffy Clyro- Only Revolutions Gabrielle Aplin- English Rain
Had The Blues But I
Shook Them Loose
6. Type based
• This cover is just text, usually stating the name of the artist and the name of the album.
For this style to work well the cover needs to be creative and edited to make sure that
it can still be eye catching.
Coldplay- Mylo Xyloto The 1975- The 1975 Keane- Hopes and Fears
7. Digital
• This is a style that is usually very effective at capturing the attention of a younger
audience. This is due to the more modern look to it. This style can take pictures that
would normally be very boring and dull and make them more modern and
memorable.
Killers- Day & Age Muse- The Resistance Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
8. Black and white
• This is a style that is often used for portrait album covers as it works well to enhance the
beauty of the artist, and focus’ on the shadows that are created by the picture. Using
black and white can make the image more interesting.
Emeli Sande- Our
Version Of Events
Rihanna- Talk That Talk Razorlight- Razorlight
9. Hand drawn
• This is when the album cover has the effect of being drawn. This is a very effective style
of album cover as it makes it more personal to the artists idea of the album. It isn’t
always the whole of the cover that is made to be hand drawn but sometimes just small
parts of it.
Foals- Antidotes Coldplay- A Rush
Of Blood To The
Head
City & Colour- Sometimes
10. Grunge/gothic
• This style is usually used depending on the genre of the artists music. This style helps
portray the genre of the music. It enhances images and is created by using graphic
design. This style is more often used by bands.
Bullet For My
Valentine- Fever
Nevermore- This
Godless Endeavour
My Darkest Hate-
Combat Area
11. Photo manipulation
• This style is particularly effective at emphasising different images present on the album
cover. It helps to suggest the style and genre of the artist and the music. It can either
include an image of the artist or be a completely unique piece of art.
Eliza Doolittle- Eliza Doolittle Oasis- Dig Out Your Soul Stereophonics-
Keep Calm and
Carry On
12. Vector art
• This is a style that is made up of animation and digital effects. It is usually very unique
and doesn’t always relate to the album. This style tends to stand out among other
album covers.
Laura Marling- Alas I Cannot Swim
