CD Layout and Digital Download Art Design

Misty Mountain String Band

Louisville, KY

Derek Harris is a vocalist and the bassist in this traditional bluegrass quartet and a long time friend of mine. He contacted me in 2013 to create the CD layout for their debut EP “Went to the Well”.

Bluegrass music CD layout story

The group already had chosen a few elements to bring to the table. Therefore, it was up to me to work them into the final composition and make a few minor adjustments. This was similar to later full length CD layout projects I completed for them, entitled “Brownsboro” and “Red Horizon”. The fabulous Louisville based photographer Cherise Mingus provided the posed photograph for the inside jacket. The talented nature artist Abby Diamond also came on board to create the gorgeous Kentucky cardinal illustration. This was the first of a series of album art collaborations I was fortunate enough to have with these talented artists.

I used Adobe Photoshop to retouch and color correct the band’s posed group photograph. I also removed a small tree from the picture by using the rubber stamp cloning tool. Then, I cleaned up the edges of the cardinal illustration for the clean white background.

Finally, the band sent me a very rough sketch of a Greek runes themed “MMSB” logo they had sometimes use in promotional materials. I used Adobe Illustrator to recreate this image as a vector file they could use for any application. Then, I added it to the design. It is featured on both on the inside jacket and on the CD face itself. Check out MMSB’s music online!

CD layout for your band or music project

Are you about to drop a hot new record? I’m ready to complete the project with professional packaging design and CD art. Contact me today to get started.

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

The groundbreaking “American Country Hits” series rolled on with the latest installment, Volume 19. Each volume includes both a “Hits” version (covers recorded by studio musicians) and a “Karaoke” version with instrumental tracks only. The karaoke album art design version that I created is pictured above.

Karaoke album art design story

This time out, I decided I should use a deep turquoise background. I blended a mottled grunge pattern that resembled marble into the rich greenish blue color. Then, I created an inner shadow layer effect for it. This effect fades into the background from a light to dark shade. I also added a bright white burst brush shape located in the center of the artwork. I situated it between the background and the title layers. When I added a glow layer effect to it, it really made it shine. It also caused the main title text to pop off of the screen.

After that, I contrasted the background elements against the main title. This title uses the same logo I created for the previous installments of the series. I set the words in the LHF Boston Truckstyle font. I proceeded to color it with a rusty shade of red, then added both satin and inner shadow effects to the letters. A light golden yellow inside stroke came together with a thicker brown outline in order to complete the title text’s rustic theme.

All of the elements come together to create an outstanding karaoke album art design. This, as well as all of the other installments in the series, is available on many online music retailers. These include Amazon, iTunes, and many others.

Contact me to create your karaoke album art design

Do you own a record label or a digital music publisher? If you need quick turnaround art to accompany your digital music, I am your graphic designer. Contact me today to get started!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

This is a digital download graphic design for a compilation of many popular country music singles of the day. This series is much like digital albums such as Kidz Bop and NOW! That’s What I Call Music. The collection of songs is exclusively available online via iTunes, Amazon, and other online music outlets.

It is a part of the long running series of cover albums produced by Wellington Beck that I designed art for. Quick turnaround was the name of the game for these projects. I excelled at exceeding my client’s expectations on time, each and every time.

Digital download graphic design for country music single

My client requested me to base the album artwork concept on the hit ABC TV series Nashville. I mimicked the show’s mix of serif and condensed sans serif fonts, as well as the bright pink and grey color scheme. The music publisher also made the request that I incorporate an image of a vintage tube television. I started with these ideas, and then decided to expand on them.

Finally, I incorporated a retro television “test pattern” graphic to complete the image’s layout. Many older listeners and fans of the days when television stations signed off for the night with similar images enjoyed this touch. I made an instant hit with both my client and their listeners.

Hire me for your digital download graphic design

These album art web graphics are among some of my favorite projects. I found it exciting whenever a new assignment would come across my desk.

Are you a music publisher or an artist who needs a quality design created to meet digital retailers’ standards? I am just as passionate about music as I am about top shelf graphic design. Contact me today to get started.