Much of the 60s and 70s music scene was influenced by the use of psychedellic drugs. The word psychedelic derives from the latin phrase ‘psyche’ meaning mind, and the greek term ‘delos’, which means to manifest, or awaken: ‘to awaken the mind’. The free flowing shapes and potent colours which infuse 60s and 70s typography reflect the freedom expressed in the period.
1950s graphic designer Reid Miles produced more than 500 covers for jazz label Blue Note Records. Miles’ pioneering style emphasized the importance of typography to the album cover as a whole, allowing the text to take centre stage. Miles’ album covers embodied modernism, portraying a single thought or idea in a powerful and simple way. The design carries the message, rather than attempting to be the message.
The digital age of streaming has made album cover design almost obsolete. Rather than occupying a 12 inch by 12 inch vinyl sleeve, which could be pulled from a shelf and admired in all its glory, albums are shrinking to screen size, scrolled past in seconds. Their aim is not to be admired like before but instead to quickly grab the attention of the listener.
Album covers are designed to entice the viewer, ordinarily utilising bold colour schemes and pertinent artwork or by spotlighting the music artist, however some have taken a leap away from the ordinary. Stripping back the paint, those daring enough have allowed their music to speak for itself, relying purely on block colours and spartan typefaces to sell their records.
MTV was introduced as a 24/7 music video channel in 1981, a time when the visualization of music was still an emerging concept. The channel’s bold logo and the spotlighting of artists saw a shift in music production, providing a fresh, youthful perspective - catalysing the dominance of the music video in pop culture.
The Punk movement, which exploded in the mid-70s, tore up the rule book, discarding minimalism and neutral sans serif typography. As traditional views were seen as being outdated, punks rebelled against the establishment, combating the political and social turbulence at the time. It brought a new age of music and fashion as well as triggering the post-modern art movement.
