Types of Album Covers
Lewis Parkinson
Cover Type - Portrait Example – Playing in the shadows is the perfect example of a portrait album with a small bit of photo manipulation. The image is just of examples face and he is looking directly into the camera. The reason for this is that is creates an image, also known as star construction. The cover as a whole reflects on the albums names, playing in the shadows. The photo manipulation comes in to play as the side of example that is covered by shadow is actually in the light and the visible part of examples face is actually in the dark area.
Cover Type - Text This album cover is from the band, The Script. This album consists of only 2 things a background and text and because a background is present in every image the only thing that stands out is the text, which brings attention to the band name and album name. On a text based cover, the text is often the logo of the band or the common font for the back or front of the cover.
Cover Type – Photo Manipulation This album cover is by Kings of Leon and is the perfect example of photo manipulation in albums. In short, this cover was made by taking multiple photos and cutting them into different sections and then these sections were placed together to make the face. The designer was sure to make the face recognizable but also recognizably different. This is one of two general ideas of photo manipulation, they either make something different but recognizable or make it completely unrecognizable.
Cover Type - Image Based Image based album covers are usually random photos/created images or they relate to the album name, the editors album to the right is a good example of this as the album name is ‘The Black Room’. This image reflects on the name because it is a mainly dark image and ‘The Back Room’ sounds like a dark, deserted, distance place.
Cover Type – Text Based Text based album covers are one of the most uncommon types used by bands. Even so they can be very effective if used with the right kind of band. AC DC is a good example of this as the album to the right shows. It works well if the bands logo is text based as is AC DCs. Their iconic lightning bolt between AC and DC is what makes them instantly recognizable.
Cover Type –Black & White Black and white albums are also very uncommon, they are usually used by a unique band making unique music, this is what glasvegas’ album cover portrays. As well as being Black & White the album cover is also illustrative. The album image has no real message apart from that they, and the music they create, are unique.
Cover Type - Digital Digital album covers are very colourful and have a mix of clashing colours, light gets blended to give a more interesting, eye-catching and most importantly modern look to it. They are created with CGI or Adobe Photoshop. This automatically attracts a modern audience usually being a young one, this may be the band’s desired audience.
Cover Type – Hand Drawn Hand Drawn album covers are another rare style of cover mainly because it is easier to create a good album which your will attract your audience with Photoshop or a portrait than it is to drawn something that will catch the eye of the band’s desired audience.