The Brief
Board 1
Secret 7” is an annual event that combines music and art for a good cause. They take 7 tracks from 7 of the best-known musicians around and press each one 100 times to 7” vinyl. Creatives from around the world are then invited to interpret the tracks in their own style, resulting in a one-of-a-kind sleeve for every 7”. This year one of the song titles included Karmacoma by Masive Attack.
OUGD603
Competition brief
Secret 7”
Research & concept
Board 1
My first step was to research into the Karmacoma video itself to understand its meaning. From there I made a list of possible imagery and ideas relating to the lyrics I had just heard. I wanted the visual style to be simple so that the emphasis was put on the single image yet I wanted the illustration style to reflect those of a mad man so they had to look rough and unconsidered. I was realy influenced by the vinyl sleeve where the sticker on the vinyl becomes part of the cover artwork. The video by Massive Attack contains really strong imagery, particularly those of close up faces staring into the camera. I will use this as my main imagery.
OUGD603
Competition brief
Secret 7�
Visual development & Process
Board 2
After researching into the meaning of the song and listening to the lyrics I interpreted the song to mean that you go mad with love. The characters in the video all seem to be experiencing some form of psychosis. I wanted the drawing style to reflect this to look un-organised and generated quickly as if it had been scribbled. The character used is taken directly from the video as I feel he is one of the most recognisable so fans of massive attack would easily
OUGD603
be able to identify who he was and what song he was assoiated with. After experimenting with several different styles I decided that the line drawings looked too considered. The paint drawing was a lot loser and could have been created quickly by anyone. Competition brief
Secret 7�
Final design & Exhibition
Board 3
The final vinyl cover works on it’s own but also part of a set that comes with a poster. Still working with the concept pscychosis around love the vinyl features only the head of the man and it is detached from the body because you ‘lose your head’ when you are mad. The vinyl itself includes a sticker that completes the fact shape but when removed again reflects how love can make you lose your mind.
OUGD603
Competition brief
Secret 7”