Album design for Beth Walthew’s CD ‘Lovers & Liars’.
Having seen some of my work I was supplied with the three images of Beth and her musicians and given the text in a word document and told to do whatever I thought suited the artist’s style, what was wanted was a rustic feel. I used some images from old printers example book and photoshopped other images and scans to make most of the artwork. The CD tray has images behind a clear tray and a butterfly in the centre where the CD is placed.
The main album type is done with the Fontin Family. You can see the text on the CD took some time to do but worked out great! You can buy the CD here: www.bethwalthew.com
Child Child’s second EP called ‘Tveir‘ is out for free download on SoundCloud now or .RAR featuring seven new tracks and one new remix by Jason Dragon. There are around 50 tracks recorded and we are editing them down into the forthcoming album ‘Cliff Child‘ to release in the Summer. Some of these make up the EP’s Einn and the new Tveir.
We can also announce the new book ‘Cliff Child Artworks‘ is now for full preview and sale via the microsite or Blurb for £12 in softback.
Cliff Child is Sjorn Björnsson hailing from Egilsstaðir in collaboration with Robjn who produced all the tracks, videos and artwork. All tracks by Cliff Child & Robjn. Production by Robjn.com.
Follow Cliff Child on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CliffChild
The Soft Machine is the title of a novel by William S. Burroughs, first published in 1961. It was originally composed using the cut-up and fold-in techniques, this inspired my design on the cover. Taking a photo of Burroughs, cutting it up and shifting the edits around. I think it is as abstract as the original [right], but still communicates the name and title well.
Another book cover here. Like before I remade the text header in InDesign and created the image in Illustrator, this time also using Photoshop. I left the 3’6 off as on my version of the book it’s stamped on. The image is a variation of some prints I had made. My version is on the left, the original is on the right with 3 and 6.
I took the book ‘How Children Fail’ and decided to rework the covers design. I created the original heading and typeset style to pelican books in Adobe InDesign then used Illustrator to make the images. I ended with two samples that I considered strong enough using images from wikipedia re-edited, working my own images into the designs. The Original cover is below in red.
Never ending drum loops on a record with a loop molded into it that doesn’t end. Unlike most records that play in grooves from the edge to the middle, this record has five loops cut into it, the idea being it could be used for the base of another piece of music or music mixed into it or just for a long playing sound. It could be done with any sound lasting from three seconds to one second.
Two reel to reel machines are linked in a circuit, one on record the other playing the reels. The tape is wound around chrome chair legs with elastic bands above and below the tape to keep it in place, these make sure there is a long length of data to record on to, the tape is wiped and played as it goes around, no information is stored ’cause of the recorder. People who go up to the microphone can record a message that will give them five minutes of fame as it will be broadcast with the speakers on the other machine, then loops back to the recorder that wipes it out.
Other suggestions:
(i) The microphone can pick up anything from room ambiance of be placed in a different area like out of an open window to bring the noise of what’s outside in.
(ii) Placing a Korg Kaoss pad between the microphone and the recorder and putting it on the beat matched scrambler effect, this cuts up the sounds it records while reversing parts to make a rhythmic noise.
My idea for a set of china plates playing with traditional designs and patterns.
I imagine the sale of these to be in a pick and mix set from a shop, so you could have a set being all the same plate or a mixture. As with my other plate designs all the colours, dimensions and glazes are the same.
I have long been a fan of Spode china. I enjoy the engraving and printmaking of the designs using lines and halftones. I made some rough line designs and edited them to make a set of plates, all the same shape, dimensions and colour, so although with different crosshairs and designs they run in a theme and make up part of a dinner set. I’m working on other designs at the moment as well.
After seeing the BBC show ‘School of Saatchi‘ last week the contestants had to make some artwork for position on stone Hastings beach. I came up with this idea: It’s a large piece of reinforced glass moulded into a large Fresnet lighthouse lens with a metal frame on a concrete base. The public could look out to sea with the warping of the glass as well as it being like a circus hall of mirrors, so as well as decorative it’s fun! Being on a stone beach it wouldn’t be a risk to fire. Below are two diagrams, the first is how the lens works with light when in place in a lighthouse, the other in grey is an example of how the class is molded.
Saatchi’s six chosen artists are commissioned to produce large-scale pieces of art for the seaside resort of Hastings. When their work is constructed on the seafront in Hastings, the artists come face-to-face with the public and have the pleasure of discovering what they think. The final judgment on the artists’ success or failure is down to Charles Saatchi and his panel of advisers.
Ever wanted to open a paint can but you have now screw driver? You cant use a hammer, a spoon bends, a axe is silly. So my new idea is to put a screwdriver on the end of a paintbrush, that way you don’t need to look for one :)
After looking at the tricks people do make limited editions I’m going on with this post. It was meant to be a how to do it yourself guide, but really there are far too many options so I would say this is a design suggestion post. Its long, brace yourself….
To start I can point you towards some fantastic links like Fat cat records guide to DIY Records.
It covers manufacturing to distributors and shops who might sell your product. It’s a good read as it covers the basics aside from promotion and touring.
Printed or Handmade.
This depends on so many issues like are you good with crafts? Are you design savvy? Do you have a big budget and how much of an investment is this really to you? I would say if you have a manager go for the printing option as if they are good they should know your market appears. For other people I would get any promotional items printed unless you have graphic design experience but even then for promotionals to radio, magazine and record company’s it nice to impress. Handmade done well or interesting can sell in independent music stores and as tour cds.
If you are like me you will probably be interested in the many ways you can fold and A4 page up to make a cd case. If you have a life however this will bore you and you wouldn’t give a damn. To make your own stuff at home you have to look around what you have. Everyone has access to an A4 printer. so fold some paper up and see what you get, or look below.
This packaging by pmkfa for lo-fi-fnk’s boylife album is designed to be cheap to make. Al tho it looks technical you can dumb it down and make these by hand.
A Harder cardboard case used for mailing.
Another design that can be cut out of paper.
The best designs are the simplest. A Book style design works well cause basically it only needs a guillotine and doesn’t work with anything other than 90 degree angles.
I saw these two examples. The one on the left has a simple fold. With a stylistic addition you could sew two buttons or a fold of paper / ribbon to hold the cd in. Or like on the right contain it in a booklet, you can do this by cutting lines into a page. I demonstrated this in the video below.
The top line is a ribbon to hold the cd in, the bottom line cut is to stop the cd falling out. It was cut into very cheap printer paper hence why its a little wobbly.
These images show other ways of securing cds with paper.
Printed.
These arn’t all printed professionally but most of them are silk screened.
With bought packaging you can come out with products like the one below. All printed with one colour to make it cheaper.
CD Sleeve with fold.
Envelope style cd sleeve.
Some letter press cd sleeves, you can get simple and effective forms of printing. Like here or here. Or you could get a professional set with type from eBay like myself.
Book styled cd.
Making a book is a very easy thing. Fold some A4 paper in half and then bind it with staples or four holes and string. See this websites guide.
Lastly in this section is the poster book, a cd can be contained in a folded poster but also 7″ records can be folded into posters in poster-bags as you can see from the Jackson poster with the record.
Foam Buttons
You can get custom cards printed like Birthday cards. If you used that format with your designs on the cover and track listing on the inside rather than seasonal message you could get some foam buttons to secure the cd to the card. They are designed to hold cds to promotional booklets and other cooperate items but you could subvert the medium. Link for buttons.
Tracing Paper & Acetate
Both of these items you can print on to make an item clear / transparent. The slight downside to this is you have to trim the papers yourself unless you design yourself a cd holder made from an a4 page folded in half. Below are some examples of the style I was thinking of but are printed on the plastic it’s self. However inspiration can be gained from these and the minimal style helped with a modern typeface.
Interlacing normal or coloured paper paper with tracing paper in booklets can also look very stylish when printed in black and white.
Changing the format.
Standard Cd’s.
When designing a cd set for a friend I chose these Cd’s as they have no marks on them [like SONY / PHILLIPS ...] They are simply blank with no advertising. This isn’t just a style issue, It will make you look better in the eyes of your consumer. They also came with the black backing to them, you can also get them in a standard sliver style cd but I thought having the black data side made the product look a little more considered.
Online I found these variations on the cds but made to look like mini records. I have seen these a lot and I’m not sure if the look has been over used now. However if you get them online they seam to be cheap enough.
Mini Cds.
Link and the …plastic bags for them Link
These bags are for standard cds with jewel cases. However you could house the cd with some folded paper, acetate or tracing paper in this with the track listings The same effect can also be gained with PVC folded sleeves you can get online or from maplin.
Online you can also get pre-designed cd.
This site offers a sellection of printed blank cds. Screen printed cds.
More Packaging
The Bag.
These fabric bags are easy to make from a long piece of fabric stiched at the sides. They look stylish I think and have a warm feeling of home made work. You could also print onto the fabric and insert a paper booklet.
I’m not sure if this is a cd case or not, but it gave me the idea of using a button to seal the cd in.
Another fabric exsample of a knitted cd case, however I have the feeling this is really cut from an old Jumper.
Medium Black Organza Bags I was thinking this is an aditional extra for a cd case but it depends on your theame, they are exspensive but you could make something like it yourself. 120x120mm
Pack: 25 Price: £7.48
Sealed Bags
These bags are sealed with a tab of paper and some staples. You can get a few of these paper strips printed on your home printer and they are easy to design for. It means you can pack many items into a bag. Sealed bags are great for limited edition as it can void the value of the product; there for making it more collectible in-tact.
This record by Emilina Torrini was packed with dried leaves and hand signed by Emilina. Sealed in a bag with beautiful artwork its the perfect limited edition.
This 3″ cd is packed on to a 7″ square of card. With a re-sealable bag you can get to the record without cutting the plastic and voiding the value. These in my opinion are design icons. Its a great way to get attention for your product when its 3” squared. It also contains a free poster.
The same style of packaging but there is only a record in this bag, no card backing. The bag is also a thicker PVC.
A cheap 5” normal cd in a normal cd case, no printing on the case at all but only sealed with a large lable containing all the information. I think this has been designed well – with the fold over the top and track information. Simple and effective.
The PVC Sleeve
The typical way to package any lo-cost cd / promo. 100 PVC Sleeves – £0.99 Links
the bags you use dont have to be pvc, they could be brown paper bags like on a market stall, freezer bags or these metalic styled bags.
Paper Carrier Bags.
220mm Brown External Taped
220x110x255mm
Brown Kraft
Pack: 250
Price: £15 £13.04 (ex vat) VAT: £1.96
Arrow Packs
I found these resently. They are cd cases designed to be thin so you dont need the jewel case as you can keep the back paper, booklet and cd in one pouch. To me the idea is a little pointless for space saving, but you cuse chance the use of them and make them into a diffrent looking cd case.
There is a square pouch for the cd and booklet, the back has a larger pocket for the backpaper. If the back paper were to be printed on both sides you could have the bands information showing in big letters on the package [like in the blue pic].
ArrowStore all contents of original CD package
* – Hold 2 CDs, CD booklet and tray-card in one single CD Pro sleeve ArrowSave space
* – Store 75+ CDs in 12 inches ArrowProtect and prolong the life of your CDs
* – State-of-the-art CD protection with 2 layers of integrated fabric
An odd cd case I found on ETSY made from lolly pop sticks.
Some printers printing a record sleave.
A paper cut I printed as a demo for a friend and myself; more to prove it could be done, this is the cheapest way to hand print anything I think and can look nicer If I cleaned up the type.
Other designs for packaging going into the past this time. Using the defunct 78 as inspiration.
Make it yourself.
Something I resently saw was a Matmos album called “Work Work Work” Highlights culled from Matmos’ 97-hour residency at the Yerba Buena Center For The Arts, which ran from November 7th to November 23rd 2003.
Each copy has a unique hand-collaged cover that incorporates a drawing of a museum guard by Darcy Bartoletti.
It got me wondering If all you need is some Paper CD Sleaves and some Photocopies.
Say five or six set of images you could spend an afternoon cutting them out with a craft knife and some glue. This way you can make up an original cover each time and it could be closer to art. It also reminds me of punk fanzine styles.
You don’t have to stop at photocopies. I normaly cut things out of magazines and you could do some painting on paper, then cut it into shapes [what i think is the badge for the guards hat] and really you can use any creative media like this, felt tip pens, spirograph.
My versions with the five original images below.
Beck – The Information.
The album is designed to be sold featuring blank packaging. Each CD contains 1 of 4 different sticker sheets, each featuring original images by 20 different artists commissioned and curated to form almost 250 different stickers in total. The idea is that the listener is then free to customize their CD or create their own album cover and booklet using the kit of source material contained within, participating in the album experience in a way that is highly reflective of Beck’s idiosyncratic style. The listener is then further encouraged to scan and upload their individual designs to share with other fans online. The packaging was conceived to clearly differentiate the physical album artifact from the digital download version of the release.
This is a more organised form of self made [and interactive] artwork. Placing the artwork in the listerners hands rather than the designers.
Printed Collage.
This cd I belive is a printed cover of a collage. However I liked the hand made style but that might be cuse its from a large label – would it work for a small band? I think if the text based info was made to look like fly-posters on the side of buildings it could.
DIY LoFi.
These two items are both for Patti Smith, as you can see one is just a pen scribble for the lable and the other is made from white paper stuck to the record bag then with a marker pen had the details put on.
Twirl & Paint.
Adding to the creatives is something you wouldnt exspect. The early learning centre. Like all craft and kids shops it can have so many inspirations and I found this. Link
Press the button to start the spinner, then squirt in the coloured paints to create your unique swirly picture. Maybe some artwork for a cd. Maybe a postcard. Eitherway I thought the idea was intresting. If you want to try bigger artworks I dont think it would be too hard to make some spinner to attack paper / card to.
Ink Stamps
You can get a stamp made of almost anything. Years ago I had a company logo made into a stamp that was 4 inches wide. It wasnt that exspensive and when making white label records such an item could be very useful. Its suppring how detailed you can make a rubbed stamp
This image is an exsample an online company give but you can play with the media well if you design something clean with vectors. Below is also a Kate Gibb print and stamp.
Embossed stamps & Seals
While working at a printing press one of my jobs was to stamp the prints with the printers logo with an embossed pad. This was another light bulb in how to subvert media. Say you have a card cd sleave, rather than print on it why not just stamp a logo on it. Most of the stamps work with a coin design [around the size of a uk 2p] but you can have them made bigger. The images can get detailed like some of the images below but as ever it should be a simple threshold black and white image. They are around £30 to have a coin made, then you need the machine to press them, thats about £10. I got some from a car boot sale with lovely gilt flowers painted down the sides and had the coins replaced. Altho it sounds expensive it can save on printing and work on other media like business cards and even badges. Doing the reserch everyone does I broused google images… the results.
Wafers
The additional extra for embossed stamps are wafers. These are normaly gold or red wax-like foils that you can stamp directly on. They come in other colours too.
Additional Packaging
I was looking about for paper bags when I came across the MidPac website. Link
From this site I found some items that could sex up some cd. These really come under additional packaging as it would be something to contain your cd and booklet or such. If you have more giveaways or larger items like a record it might be fun for vinyl but other than design they would just add more cost to a product and when your selling online or in independent shops its better to keep the price down as much as possible for the consumer and your production costs.
Wax Seals
These are good for mail order items to use to seal packs up. But for shops or touring when they will be stacked up and pushed about the wax might fall off. My friend has wax seals on his business cards.
UK & EC Prices (incl VAT)
from £30.99 small coin.
from £37.99 large or hex coin
Books More items for the handmade section. Mum cd covers are based on old books and jornals. With a stamp print on the cover and sometimes holes cut out, it made me think of the Much-Ado-Notebooks made by ring binding old covers of damaged books to pages. If you go to some charity warehouses you can find books for about £1 per bag. I have long wondered about taking some of the books with near~ or blank backs and binding them into cd cases with some letter press text over them.
Some exsamples of ring binding, these are metal as the plastic comb binding looks cheap.
I used to get mine done at university as it was much cheaper than Rymans and Staples.
The other picture is of snap on rings, these are around £5 for 100 online.
Duct Tape / Gaffa
This Garbage record sleeve is made from unprocessed grey card the covered with pink duct tape. To get to the record you have to cut it down the side. It reminded me of the other items like book covers and wallets made from it. Done carefuly it can make an intresting addition to your artwork. You can even get your own tapes printed if you had a bold text covering the tape or a looping pattern it could look nice.
Other exsamples of DIY Cases, with the details stuck to the cd cases.
If like me you made your own topic / classroom books at school you might recognise the re-used wallpaper to make this folder that looks like a gatefold record sleave.
And this is Aluminum foil tape and a stamp set for metal, I was thinking of just a bands name embossed like a lable. Now you could use the tape but also cut up foil food boxes / take away or card with foil glued on it then stamped or just some cut sheets of metal.
As well as this makemagazine video for embossing foil with glue.
I also saw these foam art stamps for children. With these you could make up custom covers on an afternoon.
Task:
In a University project I had to make a form of Hi-end packaging so I asked to do a Cd design. Due to the “high end” specification and standard the work needed I was advised to do a box set or special edition cd. After seeing the artwork for Enya’s cd Amarantine I set out to redesign it with a bigger emphasis on craft and style fitting to her past productions but also to modernise them.
I started getting images of my sketchbook and printing them off on handmade papers and watercolour styled papers. From then I would scan them in again and after cut them up, arrange them on scanner and print them off again on handmade and textured papers. Some of the distressed effects were made by hand and with Photoshop and Illustrator.
Task:
Design a logo for a new bike light company ‘Solid Lights’. The logo was designed to look solid, resilient and modern as well as being cheap to print (Black and Red). The cubic style of the logo made it easy to engrave into the light itself with lasers.
