Hey everyone! Considering OS is for music, I thought it'd be helpful to talk a bit about album covers. I don't have much skill in music, but I know quite a lot about design.
So let's just jump straight into it!
First we should start with a more boring part and get it out of the way, that being copyright. I know that it's a boring part of the topic but it's necessary as some people will give you a copyright strike for even the smaller similarities. Make sure that if you do used a copyrighted image that you have permission to use it commercially.
Second, design. For some people they prefer more meaningful covers, some people like more complicated designs, etc. But the best choice for design should match your brand, or connect to it in some way, so that it's recognizable that you wrote the song. If you're putting text on your cover, be sure that the font is readable and that the color isn't the same as the background one. In hindsight the design is completely up to you but keep in mind others will be seeing it
Finally, the 'Dos and Don'ts' of album covers:
DO:
- Hire (and actually pay) and artist to make the album cover if you don't think you can do it on your own.
- Make it with your brand or style in mind, even the music.
- Ask for opinions on it before the final design so that you can confirm that others like the cover.
- Use a Stock Photo website if needed, they carry many good ones.
- Keep in mind that the cover will be sized down on digital device's so try and format it as if it was 1 inch tall.
DON'T:
- Trace/copy someone else's work
- Use colors that don't mash well together
- Use someone else's face on the cover when collaborating without their permission
- Blatantly steal someone else's cover and then edit it so it looks like it's yours
- Use a super complicated font for text as it will be hard to read
In the end all of these design choices are up to you. If you think people will like it, use it. Below I will link some recommended websites to use in the process of making the album cover:
https://iconcollective.edu/album-cover-art-tips/
https://unsplash.com
https://spark.adobe.com
So let's just jump straight into it!
First we should start with a more boring part and get it out of the way, that being copyright. I know that it's a boring part of the topic but it's necessary as some people will give you a copyright strike for even the smaller similarities. Make sure that if you do used a copyrighted image that you have permission to use it commercially.
Second, design. For some people they prefer more meaningful covers, some people like more complicated designs, etc. But the best choice for design should match your brand, or connect to it in some way, so that it's recognizable that you wrote the song. If you're putting text on your cover, be sure that the font is readable and that the color isn't the same as the background one. In hindsight the design is completely up to you but keep in mind others will be seeing it
Finally, the 'Dos and Don'ts' of album covers:
DO:
- Hire (and actually pay) and artist to make the album cover if you don't think you can do it on your own.
- Make it with your brand or style in mind, even the music.
- Ask for opinions on it before the final design so that you can confirm that others like the cover.
- Use a Stock Photo website if needed, they carry many good ones.
- Keep in mind that the cover will be sized down on digital device's so try and format it as if it was 1 inch tall.
DON'T:
- Trace/copy someone else's work
- Use colors that don't mash well together
- Use someone else's face on the cover when collaborating without their permission
- Blatantly steal someone else's cover and then edit it so it looks like it's yours
- Use a super complicated font for text as it will be hard to read
In the end all of these design choices are up to you. If you think people will like it, use it. Below I will link some recommended websites to use in the process of making the album cover:
https://iconcollective.edu/album-cover-art-tips/
https://unsplash.com
https://spark.adobe.com
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