Computer Arts Projects issue 108

A while ago, when the new issue of Computer Arts Projects was in its planning stages, I was talking to one of our contacts in the industry. He was saying he’d done a set of 12-inch and CD sleeves for a band he liked. Unpaid, and for the joy of it.

It got me thinking. While sales of CDs go south, designers still really love the format. It’s almost as though the sleeve is more important to the design industry than it is to the music industry these days. In this issue we’ll be seeing why records and CDs remain one of the most inspirational areas of design.

We’ll also be looking at the other areas of the music industry in which designers are being employed: websites, videos, Cover Flow, gig graphics and more. We hope you enjoy it.

Garrick Webster, Editor

IN THE MAG

FEATURES

The music design revolution
Change is sweeping through the music industry, and graphic designers are embracing the new trends. Lawrence Zeegen reports

The best design for rock ’n’ roll
The poster designer Sleeba tells us why he thinks the cover for Alive II by Kiss really rocks

The best design for new wave
Rob O’Connor of Stylorouge makes an interesting selection with this Elvis Costello fold-out cover

Inspirational CD sleeve projects
Five fantastic and inspiring album covers and how they were created

The best design for hip-hop
Guy Featherstone of Low Life Records chooses a Basquiat classic from 1983

Live performance graphics
As CD sales drop away, the gig takes on new importance, and designers can cash in

The best design for dance music
Tomato’s Jason Kedgley explains why he’s entranced by the Vertical Forms sleeve

PROFILES & INTERVIEWS

Form interviewed
We speak to Paul West and Paula Benson, founders of this top London design outfit

Graphic Therapy
Fantastic art direction and design work for the likes of Moby, Interpol and more

Sopp Collective
International design shop, run by friends and designing for the music industry

TUTORIALS

Design a six-panel CD package
Use Photoshop to create a visual rock cover

Create an 80s punk rock video
Colourful and violent visions in After Effects

Retouching rock photography
It’s a hairy job but someone’s got to do it

Set up a Flash MP3 interface
The visual solution for putting music online

Create a band website in Flash
Bring their message and identity to the web

ON THE CD

Motion showcase
This month your free CD includes the Ravonettes video by Wyld Stallyons, the Quayola Architechtural Density video, the Red Design showreel and two music videos by Motion Studio. PLUS more gallery images, video and free resources.