If you want to create album artwork that gets attention, take inspiration from the following five iconic covers.
1. Nirvana – Nevermind
Nirvana’s 1991 breakthrough album Nevermind has become a rock classic. And its cover is just as recognizable and iconic as the songs, like Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come as You Are, that appear on the album.
Indeed, the cover is easily one of the most recognized in music history. It portrays a baby boy swimming underwater towards a dollar bill that is hooked on a fishing line. The meaning of the artwork is interpreted as the infant being baited into capitalism from a young age.
2. Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
Never mind Nevermind. The cover of Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, which came out in 1977 and signaled the arrival of the punk movement, is arguably even more iconic.
Indeed, at the time, the cover caused just as much controversy for its blackmail-letter-style text as the band caused while performing at venues in the U.K.
The bold and brash collage using cut-out ransom-style letters against a bright yellow background, which was created by Johnny Rotten, reflects the band’s anarchic spirit of challenging societal norms.
3. Beyoncé – Lemonade
Moving on to more contemporary ground, the 2016 album Lemonade is considered to be not just the most acclaimed studio album of Beyoncé’s career but also one of the greatest albums of all time.
The cover artwork has become just as iconic as the music on the album. It depicts a monochrome image of Beyoncé hunched in fur and cornrows, with her face obscured by a flood of water.
The striking image matches the raw and emotional tone of the album brilliantly. It also breaks from Beyoncé’s previous glamorous personas.
4. N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
Hip-hop was changed forever when N.W.A burst onto the scene with their 1988 album Straight Outta Compton.
The cover turned heads with its powerful depiction of the group’s members emerging from darkness into light, with the cityscape of Compton in the background.
It was chosen for its raw portrayal of their tough origins and it perfectly represents N.W.A’s confrontational and unapologetic style.
5. The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Even though the album was launched fifty-six years ago, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album and cover remain just as iconic as they have always been.
The 1967 artwork, featuring cardboard cut-outs of a wide array of famous and infamous people, was created by the Pop Artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth. But Paul McCartney himself drew the ink drawing on which the design was based.
How to Create Your Own Album Cover
Now that you know about the kinds of images and designs that are associated with some iconic music albums, you should be inspired to start making your own album cover.
Who knows, maybe your artwork and your album could become as iconic as the likes of Nevermind or Straight Outta Compton.
So, here is a brief guide on how to create an album cover using your own photo imagery.
Choose the Right Photo
Your first aim should be to take an eye-catching image that represents the mood or theme of the music on your album.
You could include a photo of yourself, a single item like an old barn or a record player, or a scene that tells a story, to name just a few ideas.
Consider colors, too. If your music is upbeat, bright colors might work best, whereas if your music is somber, dark hues like blues, blacks, and grays may be ideal.
Use an Online Image Editor to Help
Once you have chosen your photo, use software such as the Picsart online image editor. You can then edit with ease by using functions like cropping, artistic filters, and text overlays.
With a professional image editor, it is easier than ever before to create high-quality images that will stand out and get attention.
Add Text
Lastly, ensure that both the band or artist name and the album title are prominently displayed. Just as important, ensure you use the right style of font for the genre of music and the mood of the album.
Your text should be easy to read and blend well with the other elements.
