Ancillary task: Analysing CD covers

Jason Mraz - We sing, we dance. We steal things

This is the album cover to the album which includes my song 'Coyotes'.

Alice Kettle - Machine Embroidery

The design is simple and clear with a minimal amount of design. It shows that Mraz isn't too bothered about making his album glossy and revolved around him: the drawing of him (you can tell by the hat) looks as though a child has drawn it on Paint, giving it a childish, however still professional (modern art has become childlike due to how mediums are used).

The cover is just a plain black on white colour scheme, with the titles and picture centred. However the simpleness of this design can be still eye catching as the audience can quickly glimpse at it and know straight away that it is Mraz's CD. Also the plainness of it makes it stand out amongst the coloured CD's.

Jason Mraz - Love is a Four Letter Word

This cover is just as simple as the first one, in fact it has even less information than the other one: It doesn't include the title or the full album name. Also the word 'love' is not clear to read, as it is just made up of simple shapes and primary colours (and green), making it have a childish appearance. This again uses the effect of catching the audience eye by having it simpler to stand out. However this would effect the audience differently, as they would have to pick up the album add look at the back to see who it is by.

The back of the cover follows the theme of bright coloured text on white. Keeping it simple and plain.

It includes basic requirements of an album cover, such as the record label, website to visit, warnings of disposal and a bar code.

What I've noticed about this design, is that around the time it was selling, the cover was advertised everywhere on the internet. This shows that people may recognise the design, making them want to see it in person or buy it.

Jason Mraz - Mr A-Z

This album cover is older than the other two, which may go to show that he was able the have an extremely simple album cover, as he is a successful artist. This album cover compared to the other two has a real picture of Mraz in the centre showing the audience what he looks like. The design is a lot more fuller than the others as it has more going on: the picture of Mraz is on a photo card for an old fashioned slideshow with Jason Mraz's signature at the bottom left hand corner (making the name seem a bit insignificant) and the album name 'Mr.A-Z' large and coloured in with felt pen. I think that this would be again eye catching, as the image is framed and has a very casual yet unique feel to it.

 (Mr.A-Z pretty much says Mraz by the way, which I found awesome even though it took me awhile to realise it)


By analysing Mraz's previous album covers, I now have a better idea on how I can create mine based on Mraz's style: Simple yet creative and one of a kind.