Today, we thought we’d give everyone a sneak peek at the artwork for Inhale/Exhale’s new album, ‘I Swear.’
Like every project we work on, we try and gather as much information on the album as possible. What is the meaning behind the title? Is there a theme? Is there a concept that the band has in mind? Is there an overarching emotion or feeling being conveyed? ie. depressing, positive, uplifting, dark, etc. In a nutshell: What is the album about?
Click “more” to see the cover art and details of the rest of the art on the record.
For this particular record, the band mentioned that the title suggested broken promises and betrayal. After pondering a few concepts in my head (and in sketches), I pitched the band an idea. I wanted the artwork to be full of images that reflected that same feeling after a person is betrayed by a loved one. Abstract takes on anger, confusion, sadness, hopelessness. For the cover, I wanted to depict a ring (an object that is obviously associated with trust and commitment) but with a dark twist.
I also wanted to create a ‘code’ of sorts … for most of the type inside the packaging. A typeface (or language) that played along with some of those same emotions: confusion, anger, etc. Inspired a bit by Sagmeister’s artwork for Pat Methany’s ‘Imaginary Day’ CD, I developed different shapes for letters and included a key inside the packaging that allows you to read the lyrics. Lucky for me, the band was on board.
My hope is that as the viewer unfolds the packaging, that sense of confusion starts to become a reality. What does this say? What are these images? Why? As time is spent with the music and the artwork, the goal is that it will all make sense.
Hats off to the band for allowing me to use this concept for their album. After all, unless you choose to accept the task, the lyrics are unreadable.
The album comes out June 10.
