IDM Mailing Archive

In a message dated 11/1/97 12 01 46 AM, substar@iafrica.com wrote: << ABSOLUTELY !!! Tri Rep was 'minimal' but at least if you look closely, it's all there somewhere. But Chiastic Slide is just contrived and doesn't even look good, *IMO*.>> hmmm... I see where you come from, but I think it depends on how you see it. as a graphic designer, the line between form and function and is something we have to deal with all the time. Is the cover of an album supposed to serve a function? Does copy on the sleeve really need to inform the viewer, or can it work in a expressive context, where the written information is actually irrellevent, and the objective is to create a piece that doesn't necessarily inform the viewer of the subjective details, but rather, create an image that coorolates the attitude of the material inbeded within the audio half? Tri Repetae, in comparison to Chiastic Slide upon first listening is a much more straight forward piece, with rather percussive elements which are followable, mechanical sounds, and an absence of human characteristcs. Thus, the metallic olive sleeve is almost perfect for the piece. However, upon further listens, the dynamics within each of the songs, and the delicate chaos within the orchestrations lean toward imagery that would fit the postcards inside. As for Chiastic Slide, we see an almost exact reversal in theme with the way the music is created. Considerably harder to listen to (especially when compared to Tri Repetae), filled unusual time signitures, and evolutions within song structure that you can't really put your finger seem to corrolate perfectly with the way the sleeve is designed. What illustrates the loosness of this album best is the almost transparent grid system printed on the sleeve. If you'll notice, the grid is not perfect. Another example of form, function, and expression within graphic design would be the latest Aphex Twin release. Earlier on the list, people debated as to whether the ep was a "pisstake". If you could judge it strictly by the sleeve, I would have to say that it is exactly that. Instead of mind blowing graphics, we get something that seems almost half-assed. No interesting typographic work, just good ol' helvetica, left justified with really horrible leading. Instead of a piece of art, we get something that looks like a "product", uncared for, slapped together, and distributed for mass consumption. What this all winds down to is that my opinion in concerns of function in graphic design, within the context of Album sleeves is that I don't find it as important as the way the designer tries to illustrate the actual material inside. What the Designers Republic seems to do best is taking the audio material, wether it be the music or the manner or attitude it was created, and expressing in visual context. After all, it's much funner to look at a weird album sleeve than a cereal box. anyways, I just thought that I would spew out my "2c". Please don't get me started on Editorial, Advertising, and Packaging design.... t.S.o.G. np: Portishead- Portishead. Hey, it's late, I want to relax, and it's music that satisfies my "design sensibilites".

Irene McC wrote:

quoted 13 lines Is the cover of an album supposed to serve a function? Does copy on

> > > > Is the cover of an album supposed to serve a function? Does copy on > > the sleeve really need to inform the viewer, > > Every time I'd answer a resounding YES. Fine : if you must make the > cover a work of art, go ahead. But *somewhere* in the liner notes, > or inside the sleeve or printed onto the disc itself.... please let > the more pedantic among us have relevant (maybe some of you consider > it irrelevant?) information such as : Artist, release date (year) > and tracklisting. It's also nice to have some reference regarding > the names of who actually collaborated on the work, who producee (if > applicable) etc.

I'd agree with this sentiment in general, but I s'pose we're drifting a bit from the original focus, i.e. Chiastic Slide. This release has all of the info there - on the disc itself the titles of the songs are clearly legible (not the clearest of fonts, but not too hard to decipher), and Booth+Brown are named as being the producers of the music. Unless the vinyl version (I have the CD) doesn't have the tracks clearly labeled then I could see your point. I guess my preference would be to have the artwork of the album cover as expressive as needed and then have track info. credits etc. on the disc itself. Much cleaner this way. GD

quoted 1 line I guess my preference would be to have the artwork of the album cover as

>I guess my preference would be to have the artwork of the album cover as

expressive

quoted 1 line as needed and then have track info. credits etc. on the disc itself. Much

>as needed and then have track info. credits etc. on the disc itself. Much

cleaner

quoted 1 line this way.

>this way.

nooo! artists, don't listen to him. :) albums with the tracklisting on the disc itself (and nowhere else) have always infuriated me; it really disrupts the listening experience when you have to take out the disc to find out what that wonderful (or horrible) track was called. bdp's bytes is a case in point; i STILL don't know the name of most of the tracks on there, thanks to that smudgy crap over the titles on the back. now that those transparent backs on cd cases (you know, the thing that actually holds the disc in there) are becoming more common, people could start putting the tracks under there .. that way it won't be too in the way. or they can always go like reload and write a little story for their songs.. noah np: ironically enough, cichlisuite .. now that is a functional cover. the track titles look nice up there.

what about tyops? i just bought gong: a sprinkling of clouds and theres this glaring tpyo on the back cover ... if there are any artists on this list creating work for cd + record jackets can you proof once more before you go to print? Tsog5000@aol.com wrote:

quoted 16 lines In a message dated 11/1/97 12 01 46 AM, substar@iafrica.com wrote:

> In a message dated 11/1/97 12 01 46 AM, substar@iafrica.com wrote: > > << > ABSOLUTELY !!! Tri Rep was 'minimal' but at least if you look > closely, it's all there somewhere. But Chiastic Slide is just > contrived and doesn't even look good, *IMO*.>> > > Another example of form, function, and expression within graphic design would > be the latest Aphex Twin release. Earlier on the list, people debated as to > whether the ep was a "pisstake". If you could judge it strictly by the > sleeve, I would have to say that it is exactly that. Instead of mind blowing > graphics, we get something that seems almost half-assed. No interesting > typographic work, just good ol' helvetica, left justified with really > horrible leading. Instead of a piece of art, we get something that looks like > a "product", uncared for, slapped together, and distributed for mass > consumption.

some of the aphex artwork is very cool with crunched up dirty and rusted icons ... (ie selected amb works II). but RDJ has actually been quoted as saying he doesnt care what something looks like AT ALL (ca. polygon window). in fact you can see that he uses The Face in a satirical manner as a way to get this point across. ugh. that sinister grin ... this came to a head when he painted his own portrait for cover art. he doesnt care much about the visual or typesetting- he wants you to concentrate on the aural.

quoted 3 lines What the Designers Republic seems to do best is taking the audio

> What the Designers Republic seems to do best is taking the audio > material, wether it be the music or the manner or attitude it was created, > and expressing in visual context.

i agree. artwork should meld a concept and add to a work without becoming overbearing and mindless. some graphic artists choose to create cover artwork that just doesnt serve the purpose of an artist/particular project and only serves their own. jeffrey http://www.formstudio.com/thesesubjects/list.html