Jun
7
Written by:
IML
Tuesday, June 07, 2011 3:23 PM
Posted by
Jason Barnett
Art Director
Most professional graphic designers work on projects that are for a client that has a specific vision and purpose for that project. There's nothing wrong with that. Designers provide a service and having clients and meeting those clients' needs is how designers earn a living. No matter what the project, most designers will try to inject a little bit of their own style, flavor or signature approach into the design. But this doesn't mean that they may have complete creative control. That, most always, goes back to the client's preferences.
That is why many graphic artists will find little projects here and there that allow them to have much more creative freedom. Whether that is by creating something for themselves or for a client that relinquishes more creative control. Not only is it just a means to gain some creative freedom in the artist's field, it is also a nice playground to try new things and experiment with less fear of failure. A free project is much less stressful to work on than one in which tens of thousands of dollars are at stake.
I love working on album cover designs for musicians. Recently, I got the opportunity to work on a new one for the Louisville based hip-hop group
Skyscraper Stereo. The result was a design that I am actually really happy with and it has been well received from others. The album is humorously titled
Homebois In Outer Space. Being a fan of hip-hop music, science fiction and movie poster art, I drew upon those pop culture genres for inspiration in the design. Below is the finished cover art. Hopefully, you'll see the rest of the packaging at the record store (if those still exist.) Or you can purchase the album
online. Artists supporting artists is a good thing.
