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.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
dillinger just did this with Ire Works as well… (the whole Code motif)
May 13th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
WOW.
This is up there the new “Project 86″! You guys just keep upping the ante! (And I love ya for it!)
If any designer(s) were to come JUST at the right time to save us from an all digital CD release hell…it’d be you guys!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Didn’t Coldplay do it on their X&Y record from 2005 also?
May 14th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Hey Eric
Coldplay did do something similar, but without a key.
Don
May 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
That is really cool.
I love you see what you guys can come up with.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
i wish it could be read more simplier.
seriously. i just want to read the lyrics.
it makes me mad, im lazy enough.