Album Cover conventions

Look at a selection of album covers (minimum of ten, CD or vinyl), maybe from your own, your parents or a friends collection, or online - the more variety in genre, style, decade etc the better. Make notes in answer to the questions below:

1. What are the typical features that an album cover has? Make a list of all the elements they have in common.

• Barcode
• Album Title
• Artist name - logo/recognisable typeface
• Track list - lengths of tracks
• Legal stuff - institutional information
• Web address
• Colour scheme
• Strong graphic/photo of the artist(s) on front cover
• Band brand image very obvious
• Booklet with additional info and extras
• Same size - however different materials (digipack/sleeve/dual case/tin)
• Continuity between back and front (colour, fonts, or sometimes totally contrasting)
• Extra features - bonus tracks, "Special edition", Music video included

2. How would you categorise the covers in front of you? Are there any other ways of distinguishing between them other than generically?

• Mainstream/niche
• Group/solo artists
• Target audience
• Era
• Abstract/simple concept
• Male/Female
• Record Label
• Tone of artist(s) - serious, funny etc
• Style - graphic/photography
• Debut album? #1, 2 3?
• Compilations
• Greatest hits
  

3. Album covers serve many different functions. What do you think these are (ie what is their purpose?)

Front cover

• Attracts customers to buy CD - attract TA
• Show band/key graphic to make it stand out on the shelves and so that it is recognisable
• Informs audience of who's album this is
• Sell institutional identity and band image
• Get people talking by having an innovative cover (word of mouth is best marketing)

Back cover

• Gives information
• Track listings
• Track timings (sometimes)
• Price sometimes - barcode
• Institutional information (legal stuff)

Spine

• Clear reference to Artist and Album so that audience can find it in their CD racks

If it is a Debut Album, the cover needs to establish a strong band image using creative methods that are original, eye-catching and memorable.