In addition to really enjoying design/jewelry/creating in general, another interest of mine, which I may have already talked about briefly, is music. I'm constantly in search of fresh soundscapes as I venture about my days, trying to satiate my thirst for the perfect sound to articulate the ever-evolving events, moods, and themes in my life. Lately I've been on a big Indie kick. It seems that the further I delve into this truly ceaseless musical rabbit hole, the more obscure my findings and interests become.
The more I think about it, the more I really feel like there's a strong relationship between music and design. There's always been a really strong tie there between sound and the visual representation thereof. Not to mention the fact that they are often each considered to be expressions of an ideal, of a feeling, a thought, an emotion...
It's really interesting to see the visual interpretations of an artist or band's work on their album covers. Some of it is really quite interesting - the use of certain materials, the typography, the construction methods, etc. That's why I think it's so important to hold on to them. We are so accustomed to the digital format of the mp3 that I feel like my generation is missing out on a pretty critical part of the entire musical experience. It's the tangible feel and crisp sound of that old LP and record player. It's just downright cool.
But let's face it, even CDs have long been on their way out...
That aside, it's definitely worth noting that record players have made a comeback in recent years due to their impeccable sound quality and our sentimental knack for all things retro (and maybe it's also sort of due to the boom of the nouveau-scenesters and music snobs and their penchant for re-inventing the wheel, but hey, I'm not complaining in this instance. Now, acid wash skinny jeans and day-glow band tees on the other hand - please direct me toward their suggestion box). On second thought, I'd prefer to think it has more to do with oldschool, seasoned record shop owners and music journalists helping the big wigs in the biz come to their senses about sound quality in the music industry these days. REGARDLESS of where this "born-again" interest comes from...
I think it's just downright cool.
You can hear every nuance, every subdued sound on every track. Not to mention, this is also keeping alive the relationship of design and music.
Album art!
I can remember spending hours on end going through my parent's LP collection in the basement...admiring the music and album artwork from the likes Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin, The Talking Heads, West Side Story (what what, Saul Bass), Queen, David Bowie...
And, yeah, I won't even lie, Xanadu was definitely among my parents' [read: my mom's] collection. And I listened to it. And I liked it. I don't hang my head in shame.
But anyway, it's just exciting to think that albums are making a comback. And thus, so is the beautiful artwork featured on the sleeves.
In celebration of the relationship between music and design, I just wanted to share a few album/CD covers I enjoy. They're kind of all over the place, so be warned.
