Hmm Beatles in mono.Wim Crouwel Posters are getting going.This is a good afternoon.Old fashioned but fun.Any opinions? http://pic.twitter.com/aGrEcMP3

Peter Saville

Savilles work with Factory Records produced some fantastic modernist artwork, from the simplistic pieces used for the New Order covers to the more in depth work produced for the Durutti Column, where he produced intricate pieces of art that involved laying a variety of materials and then photographing them.

This work is a great example of how a designer shouldn't limit themselves to the confines of computer software and digital imagery. The raw analogue feel of this kind of art has a certain quality to it that is difficult to create in the realm of computer based art. I intend to explore this hands on approach in my work for the packaging brief.

Grids: Creative Solutions for Graphic Designers

 I also picked up an unbelievably useful book on grids. Rotovision, 2008. Grids: Creative Solutions for Graphic Designers, Rotovision. It demonstrates how the grid can be useful to the graphic designer in pretty much any situation they can encounter, as well as how it does not mean you work is restricted by using one.

 It provides examples of these situations too, from the minimalist typographic approach...

To the use of complex layers that obscure and reveal select pieces of text, imagery and colour.

This book also came with a DVD containing a wide selection of grids to use with InDesign. Some thing I'm sure will help to inspire me to come up with my own grids for future work.

Best Of Disc Art 1

 This book, Rivers, C., 2008. Best of Disc Art 1: Innovation in Cd, Dvd & Vinyl Packaging Design: v. 1, Rotovision; features a wide variety of innovative and attractive packaging designs for music releases on both vinyl and CD.

 This fold out poster idea is something I have considered designing for my packaging design project, I think it's a clever way to package music as it is a clever way to maximise the amount of surface area available for printing on and gives the owner a lot more to look at when they're listening to the music. Something I always do when I listen to a new album is read the book that comes with it and pore over the artwork, in an attempt to create some sort of link between the sound and imagery that provides a greater understanding of the overall package.

 I particularly like the use of cut outs on these records, they give greater depth to the packaging and add a sense of intrigue.

 This Against Me! release works particularly well because of it's simplicity. The stark contrast of black and white and the use of a palm tree gives a sense of of depth and emotion to this artwork.

 I love the classic styling of this Pipettes boxset, it reminds me of the old Capitol Records sleeves.

Music Graphics

This book was a great discounted find at the UCA book sale. It's a Japanese book published by Pie Books in 2006 and has some brilliant examples of music cover art and innovative packaging ideas.

There is clearly a modernist approach to the design, with the use of a simple type based logo and the typographic design of the cover and rest of the CD inlay. I also like the use of black on black to create a restrained professional look for the band.  This is particularly clever considering the musical style of the band in question, The Mad Capsule Markets, who mix hardcore punk with electronic dance/drum and bass....

Packaging toys to represent the band and their music videos is a fantastic product for the collector and for the avid fan of the artist in question.
The other aspect of a well packaged musical release that is apparent in this book is that there will be a graphic theme that dominates the overall item and any information that is included or required will be arranged to fit into this theme. For example, the publishing and copyright information.

the understanding of value.

brave monster - glueless cd packaging

A really effective design, the ostrich works well as a visual cue. The part of this I like the most is the fold  out glueless packing, made with 100% recycled stock. Ethical cd packaging is something I wholeheartedly believe in, with the bonus that for certain designs the texture and colour of recycled card is visually more appealing.