4 Musts of CD Packaging
As they say, music alone will not sell. CD Packaging design is one of the reasons why the hard format is still alive. When everyone is going digital, it is wise to offer fans something that cannot be downloaded. Do not just give them forgettable album artwork – give them something that’s so awesome that […]
Effective Music Marketing Strategies To Get Your Music Noticed
In some music business schools, they still give students assignments that go like this: “Assume that you have one million dollars. Make up a marketing plan on how to promote a band.” Here’s a realistic assignment: “Go to MySpace. Pick a band. You have zero dollars. Now go promote them.” Although most bands would like […]
CD Manufacturing: All About Barcodes
Why do I need a Barcode on my CD? The short answer is “because the retailers who will be selling your CD for you require it.” It’s the way a retail sale is identified, inventory levels are tracked, and sales are credited. Even if you sell primarily at shows or out of your trunk, you […]
CD Packaging of the Week: Plant43’s Burning Decay
You just have to love the bleakness of these images. If you stare at them so long they will remind you of the lonely rainy days in the mountains. No text, no crazy designs, just captivating photographs. Emile Facey (Plant43) writes: When writing music I always have an image or scene in mind which is […]
Featured Designer: Joshua Marc Levy
About Joshua Marc Levy: Joshua was born Jan 27- the same day as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lewis Carroll. He graduated SVA with honors in 1998 and worked in Entertainment Advertising and the Record Industry afterward. Shortly after leaving SVA, he won many awards including Young Guns, Art Director’s Club and a “First Place Student […]
CD Packaging: ICARUS Carnivalesque
Artist: Icarus Title: Carnivalesque Label: Not Applicable Year: 2005 Designer: Ollie Brown, Sam Britton Carnivalesque’s CD packaging is a great example of anti-design. They used discarded albums of other artists then scribbled and erased info on each page with a black marker pen. Its presentation is meant to intrigue and confuse. It makes us think […]
CD Packaging of the Week: Roots Manuva meets Wrong Tom – “Duppy Writer”
Musicians: Roots Manuva and DJ/Producer Wrong Tom Album: Duppy Writer Year: 2010 CD Designer: Tony McDermott When I first saw this CD packaging, two things instantly came to mind- Archie comics and Casper the friendly Ghost (the Movie). The floating guy (Roots Manuva) does look a bit like Chuck Clayton from Archies, don’t you agree? […]
CD Packaging: 10 Optical Illusion CD Covers
Animal Collective: ‘ Merriweather Post Pavilion’ (2008) No, it is not moving and yes your eyes are still fine. This is the cover image of Merriweather Post Pavilion, the 8th studio album of Animal Collective. The much-anticipated and now celebrated album boast trippy cover art inspired by the work of Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka. Soulwax: […]
Indie Musicians: Top 7 Musicians Discovered on Youtube
Youtube has become a platform for ordinary people to express themselves and showcase their talents. Anyone with an internet connection, a camera, and a good, rock-solid talent can show the world what they’ve got without spending money or having the right ‘connections’. That is the very basis of its slogan “broadcast yourself”. At this point, […]
CD Packaging: Physical Fanatics Want Innovative Releases
Sony Music Entertainment‘s head of insight. “Although tech savvy, they are older [than digital buyers]. For them, discovery is about discovering old gems from back catalogs. They want a big connection with artists and love box sets. They want innovation in physical recordings.” These include extras added to CDs such as DVDs of the artist […]