Here’s proof that minimalist designs are the classiest.
The typography and graphics of these CD packaging were screen printed right on the surface of the jewel case. As you can see from these examples, you don’t need to go crazy with your artwork to get attention. Subtlety works.
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Aphex Twin’s Syro Full Album Art and Box Set
Anderson also says the design is intended to challenge consumers and question notions of value: “The stripped down intentional un-typography, reducing the legibility of the bigger picture in its super detail, clashing with the inherent obsolescence of the pumped up format packaging, asks questions of the consumer that the content can’t alone,” he says.
“It’s interesting that some people regard the design in terms of what they can see, designers judging it on craft and typography and fans seeing it in terms of value for money (ironically), for example, when the real message lies in the deconstructive absence of either.”
LFO’s Sheath Clear CD case
The Designers Republic designed this very modern transparent album for LFO. This was a limited production run that was for their limited edition CD only.
BREAKOUT LUCILLE
The clear jewel case allowed for a relatively cheap packaging solution.
It also enabled play for another level of visual meaning in relation to the idea of ‘breaking out.’ The freedom of the overall design reflects the independent nature of the band as well as as the more obvious suggestion of breaking out and therefore being free.
Perfume’s Level 3 CD case
This one is not really printed on the jewel case but on the slip case but I had to include it here because it’s one good example of how minimalist designs can be creative.
Puerto Despartar CD case
It’s simple but we know it’s not just a lazy design. Plain-looking paper, thin “design- less” CD case and black and white photos. Clean and lovely.
We here at Unified are obsessed with beautiful CD packaging.
We’ve been making creative releases since 2008 and lovely packaging has become an obsession of ours.
We even have a Pinterest page dedicated to all things media packaging. If you want to make a really badass album with cool CD packaging, get a quote or shoot us an email.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
