Banners, Drum skins and Gig Posters

February 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ASYLUMseventy7 can not only fix you up with creative eye catching CD artwork and design taken from the initial idea through to the completed product in your hand but also set your stage, posters and website to match! Get committed to creativity and the full eye catching image!

Stage graphics are a simple and very effective way to own the stage for your set and etch the logo or current CD artwork in the fans mind for future gigs and events! These can take the form of drum skins, amp covers, and backdrop banners!

Gig posters are a fantastic eye catching way to get your band noticed and remembered.

Band websites are another great way to tie the band image and current album artwork together in one strong eye catching cohesive look.

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New CD album artwork for Little Vegas Lies

February 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here is the new artwork for Leeds based indy rock band Little Vegas Lies :) After doing their logo redesign early last year it was a great pleasure to finish the year designing their new EP The Domino EP.

Little Vegas Lies

Little Vegas Lies on Soundcloud

Little Vegas Lies on Facebook

Little Vegas Lies on Twitter

Little Vegas Lies on Youtube

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Setting up your CD for print

September 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

Setting up a CD design for print can be quite a minefield if you don’t know what you’re doing or where to start so I have put together this brief guide highlighting some of the key points you need to be aware of.

I have split them into…

  • Templates and sizes
  • Colour overview
  • Text borders and bleed
  • Saving for the printer

Templates and sizes:

Templates are ready set up files that have the correct colour mode, bleed, and text borders marked up and are just waiting for the artwork and type layout of your design. You can generally get hold of the required template from the printer who will be producing the work, however sometimes this isn’t the case. Don’t worry tho, you can easily find them on the internet, just look.
Here’s one site I’ve used in the past:  http://www.discwizards.com/cd-dvd-artwork-templates.htm

Some common sizes for projects I’ve done tend to be.. (linked to completed artwork)

The plastic wallet inlay – usually used for demos and freebies
J-card slimline case – Again for demos and singles
Standard Jewel case – Demos and albums.
4 Page and up Jewel case – mainly albums
Digipacks- Albums and special editions

Colour overview:

The colour mode used for all kinds of printing is CMYK (C=Cyan M=Magenta Y=yellow and finally K=Key or black) It is best to have your artwork ready in this as colours can change slightly when swopping modes from RGB (Screen colours R=Red G=Green B=blue) to CMYK. However there are advantages to working with RGB to do the artwork stage, like a wider variety of colours and filters, and you can use a handy check called “proof colours” in photoshop to see how your artwork will look in CMYK. (to find “proof colours go to “View” then  “Proof Colors” Ctrl / Cmd + Y)

It’s up to your personal working preference which mode you work in as long long as your end result is saved in CMYK.

Text borders and bleed

These are areas that are safe and clear from any relevant information or artwork you want in your finished design but still allow the printer a safe area to trim the artwork to the edge with out letting any white areas that shouldn’t be there appear on the finished design.

The typical measurements for the “bleed area” are 5mm and another 5mm on top of that for the “text safe area” (Text border)

Saving for the printer

Different printers have their own preferences for the work you send. Here are some commonly used formats that are usually accepted. I tend to flatten the artwork leaving the fonts adjustable or set as outlines and saved as a PDF (Including and fonts with the packaged artwork)

Common File formats

Photoshop – layers flattened, at least 300 dpi, JPEG, PDF or Tiff

Quark Express – supply fonts and images

Illustrator – fonts converted to outlines

Indesign – fonts converted to outlines

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If you need help with your CD design/artwork or print set up then get in touch with ASYLUMseventy7 and see how we can help with all your artwork/design and print set up needs.

If you liked this and are Setting up fliers have a look at this great article by Conzpiracy

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An overview of CD packaging

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

CD cases and packaging are an often overlooked consideration in the release process. Here are a few options to think about.

CD cases.

  • Jewel case – Standard old school chunky look or the new sleek modern.
  • Digipak – Great for the special edition or limited single you want to really grab attention and look special.
  • Simple card sleeve or plastic wallet – A great option for small demos, promos and free gig gifts.

CD artwork, booklets and inserts.

Printed card and paper parts of the package include:

  • J card inserts for CD single cases.
  • Booklets & cards for the front and inserts for the back tray of standard jewel cases.
  • Digipack packaging.

This is where most people want to get the help of a professional designer and artist. The cover of your CD and artwork is the first thing customers/fans see and it is this that will help attract new fans to your music. To understand the design process of a professional designer I wrote out my usual design rout here

All printers and duplication specialists with print facilities will use templates for the artwork print process so even if you are using an outside source for your album artwork and design make sure you use the right template usually downloadable from the printer/duplicators website.

Remember colours on your graphics can come out different to your original artwork, so make sure that all copies and proofs are approved by all first!  If the run is radically different to the agreed proofs you should be able to get it redone free.

On body art work for your CD

On body artwork for your CD always gives the finished product the professional look all bands should be striving for.

This is basically the same rules as the booklet and insert printing, remember to follow templates, and as always it is best to get a professional to do the work for you or at lease check over and proof the work prior to sending off to the printers.

Check out some CD album artwork and design by ASYLUMseventy7

and Get committed to creative Music design!

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Zeni Danussi Album Artwork

June 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Here is the latest album artwork I have been working on for guitarist Zeni Dannussi!

Zeni Danussi is a ” Melodic Rock Guitar Instrumentalist / Virtuoso,”  playing solid British rock and putting it into the main stream. Zeni Danussi music is no-nonsense, heads down, in your face solos and guitar riffs. The Danussi experience will put you on a platform of pure rock energy, thrusting you into a world of escape, with the guitars smashing you through a brick wall of serious energy / emotions.

Check him and his fantastic guitar work here

and the Zeni Danussi myspace page here

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CD album artwork and design: The process

April 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

This is the design process I use when working with bands on their album artwork and design.

  1. Design brief: Send questionnaire/chat to the band.
  2. Research & reference: Research the genre, its history, the bands peers and artworks that have been mentioned by the band as influential, listen to the new album/rough cuts if they are available .
  3. Sketching & conceptualizing: Develop the cover design concept(s).
  4. Reflection: Take breaks through the design process and let the ideas develop. Get feedback from the band.
  5. Presentation: Hand over the cover design and rock out to the new CD when it arrives!

Step one:

Most projects start with a discussion with the band members about any ideas and concepts they have. Then I try to gather some keywords, influences and work they’ve already seen.

Conversations usually start and revolve around these planed standard questions:

  • Your Band name – should be dominating  the design and concept?
  • Album name – if required?
  • Please provide a little information about  your band
  • Key words that describe your band – eg. Metal, rock, indie, gore, fast, heavy, melodic etc
  • What do you like/dislike – bands, films, books, games?
  • Who are your peers in the same field please give links if possible?
  • “Look and feel” required such as horror/surreal/old/grungy/clean/mimimal/fun?
  • Any definite ideas you have about the design concept + examples of album artwork design you like/dislike (links if possible)?
  • Who is your Target audience?
  • Colour preferences if any. Should the album art be single colour/two colour/full colour/no specific preference?
  • Any other information you would like to add?

Step two:

Once we have had a chat and got the questions answered I relax, think it over and chill with some of the bands music where possible. I use this time to think up ideas/concepts and how and what I’ll need to create the design.

Then I begin collecting parts and bringing together photography, textures, found objects that may help from my extensive collection of stock imagery. (I nearly always have my camera with me on the off chance I see some interesting texture, object or element I may find useful on your/future projects.)

Step three:

I then play with ideas and rough sketch’s discovering what works and build up a couple of design ideas using key elements I think would be useful and communicate the overall concept.

After getting some more feedback from my collected ideas, I start the actual design. This part of the process can be fast or slow it really is the unpredictable part of the creation, happy accidents leading paths to new elements are always fun and can take a project to a new level of creativity.

Step four:

I take a few breaks through the creation process to let ideas develop. I get more feedback from the band and finish up the design.

Step five:

I then send off the cover design and rock out to the new CD when it arrives!

Job done!


Contact ASYLUMseventy7 with your creative album artwork needs now!

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Ben Steed’s steampunk orchestra

December 10, 2010 By 2 Comments

Last year I worked closely with producer, composer, songwriter and music teacher Ben Steed on his latest Album artwork and design “distorted Skies”

This year he came back to me with an exciting new project, working on the promo artwork  for “Ben Steed and the Orchestra of Symmetry”

keep an eye out for more from Ben at the following networks …

Find more music artwork and design by ASYLUMseventy7

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Trail of Creativity

October 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Formed in 2007 Trail were soon judged one of London’s hottest new acts at a performance in Hyde Park’s Wireless festival. The London 5-piece then went on to win a Capital FM 95.8 competition and raise £20,000 towards their album through fan investments, and in 2009 flew to Los Angeles to record their debut with acclaimed producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More / Maroon 5).

To the rest of the world. Artwork by ASYLUMseventy7

“Full of catchy hooks and haunting melodies, held together by sumptuous production” - Music Week Magazine

“Played with exuberance and confidence… this is how bands get noticed” - Clash (live gig review) Read the full review here

“Strong stuff Indeed” – Kerrang! Read the full review here


City (single) Artwork by ASYLUMseventy7

Trail’s blend of “Mid-Atlantic” Indie Rock has moved crowds the world over including the prestigious Viper Room in Los Angeles as well as Greenwich’s O2 Indigo arena. Themselves having been long time guests at the infamous Bloodlust Ball (Hampton Court), Trail are delighted to now be launching their vamp-themed new single “Killing Sun” – mixed by Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails) and preparing a set of ghoulish party classics that will raise Hell on the dance floor.

Hear more from Trail at…

Trail on Myspace

Trailmusic.co.uk

Trail facebook

Trail Twitter

Read the Testimonial for ASYLUMseventy7 by Trail here

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Nightvision get committed to creativity!

October 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

Rock band Nightvision talk about the process of getting committed to creativity!

When Nightvision were signed by Rocksector Records and started work on their debut album ‘As The Lights Go Down’ they also started the search for someone to design and produce the artwork needed for the CD project.

We have known Mark at ASYLUMSeventy7 both as a musician and also as someone with the creative flair and imagination we needed for Nightvision’s first studio produced work. It was especially important that all aspects of this project were as good as we could get for the band’s first release on the Rocksector label. It was also vital that the design work was completed on time to reach the printers in time for the album general release and official launch gig and Mark met all the deadlines that were agreed.

Mark initially met the band, talked at length through their ideas and most importantly listened to the music and really took the time to understand the sense and feel of the album content. He put his own unique interpretation into the design and produced the ideas that led to the final superb design that has received great comments from everyone that now owns the album.

Nightvision are happy to recommend Mark Leary at ASYLUMseventy7 to anyone who wants to work alongside a professional who is willing to listen to your ideas and flexible enough to make changes along the way to achieve brilliant artwork designs that not only look great but will help promote your music. Thanks Mark.

Bob Wallis
Nightvision Manager

NIGHTVISION
NIGHTVISION MYSPACE

See more CD artwork by ASYLUMseventy7 and get in contact to discus your project

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The Blood of the Realm

October 5, 2010 By 3 Comments


This year (1/6/2010) saw the release of Eibon la Furies new album “the Blood of the Realm” on Code666 records! Artwork/design and logo by ASYLUMseventy7.

Lord Eibon Blackwood speaks…

I have been aware of Mark and ASYLUMseventy7 for a number of years, through Marks’ own association playing with bands and his art work within the scene. With Eibon la Furies we were looking for an artist we knew we could work with and who would see the style we hoped to achieve. The first work with Mark was to design the Eibon la Furies crest. At the initial stages an amount of ideas were passed between Mark and myself, always pushing forward to the excellent design that you now see adorning Eibon la Furies merchandise and albums. Working with Mark has always been an incredibly easy process for myself and the band because he sees our vision, takes that vision and weaves a little magic to make it even better than the original concept. I think it’s a case of getting it right at the concept stage and this is where we usually throw all of the ideas into the proverbial pot with Mark then producing rough sketches and from here we’ve always quickly identified and started to hone down to that final piece. The debut album for Code666 records is a six-panel digi-pack with full artwork by ASYLUMseventy7. The brief was to explore opulence and decay, and of course the Eibon la Furies crest had to be prominent. Again the process was organic as the original concept was quickly worked upon with Mark and the whole piece was completed well within schedule. This next year will see Eibon la Furies working on the second album, ‘The Immoral Compass’, with a much more expanded artistic feel and once again we are happy to be working with Mark and ASYLUMseventy7. The atmosphere we both work under is always professional, creative and ultimately inspiring so long may the association between Eibon la Furies and ASYLUMseventy7 continue!

Lord Eibon Blackwood (Eibon la Furies)

Eibon La Furies got committed to Creative art and design! you can too.

Check out Eibon la furies music >> here. New T-shirts and hoodies available NOW NOW NOW!!!

See the testimonials about ASYLUMseventy7 from Lord Eibon and others >> here

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