album art

Ask Katy

Hi Guys, my question is about album art, or more specifically, what in the past has been the technique for coming up with the visual design of your album covers? Do you usually have a concept in your mind which is given to the designer, or have you ever just given the designer "free-reign" to create whatever he or she saw fit? And has there ever been an instance where the group and the designer did not see eye to eye on what would be best for the group's image? Can't wait for the new album! Joe, USA.

HELLO JOE. ACCORDING TO THE BAND, IT REALLY VARIES FROM ALBUM TO ALBUM. GENERALLY, THEY WOULD FIND A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHOSE WORK THEY LIKE AND THEN MEET TO DISCUSS IDEAS AND CONCEPTS. IF THIS INITIAL RENDEZVOUS GOES WELL THEN THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD TO THE NEXT STAGE WHERE THE DESIGNER WOULD MOCK UP SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS OF COVER ART WORK. IF THEY ALL AGREE, THEN LIFE BECOMES VERY EASY. IF THEY DO NOT, DEBATE COMMENCES. SOMETIMES THEY DECIDE TO STICK WITH A DESIGNER, OTHER TIMES THEY MOVE ON AND ACTUALLY TRY SEVERAL PEOPLE OUT BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION. WHEN YOU FIND SOMEONE REALLY GREAT THOUGH, IT IS OFTEN THE CASE THAT THE BAND WORK WITH THEM FOR SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE PROJECTS BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP SOME CONTINUITY WHEN YOU CAN.