Album Design Gallery
What do the world’s most iconic album covers all have in common?
The world’s most iconic album cover artworks often share several common characteristics that contribute to their lasting impact and recognition. Here are some traits that make them stand out.
Together, these elements create a sense of cohesion between the music and the visuals, transforming the album cover into a recognizable cultural icon.
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Iconic album covers often feature a powerful visual that immediately captures attention, whether through bold colors, contrast, or a unique composition. Think of The Beatles' "Abbey Road" with its simple yet memorable crosswalk photo.
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These covers are closely tied to the artist's image or musical style, effectively communicating the tone or theme of the album. For instance, Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" cover with its prism graphic aligns with the album's experimental sound and themes of introspection.
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Many iconic covers rely on minimalistic designs or strong symbolic elements instead of elaborate visuals, which can leave a lasting impression. Nirvana’s "Nevermind" cover, for example, uses a single, striking image of a baby in water, symbolizing innocence juxtaposed with themes of consumerism.
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The best album covers avoid trendy elements, leaning on timeless design principles that make them relevant across generations. Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" uses a classic, understated black-and-white photo that still feels sophisticated today.
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Often, the typography on these album covers is unique and instantly recognizable, making it an integral part of the visual identity. The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" and its simple, unmistakable font style are a prime example.
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Some of the most iconic covers create intrigue or provoke thought by leaving room for interpretation, inviting the listener to explore the music for answers. Radiohead’s "Kid A" cover uses abstract shapes and digital landscapes to hint at the album’s themes without giving too much away.
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Whether it’s a photograph, an illustration, or a collage, iconic album covers use memorable and high-quality artwork. For instance, David Bowie’s "Aladdin Sane" features a stylized, dramatic portrait that’s iconic in pop culture.
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Many iconic album covers capture a moment in time or reflect the culture and social issues of their era. Bob Dylan’s "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan" shows him walking through New York, capturing the early '60s counterculture vibe.
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Lastly, these covers are often inseparable from the artists themselves. Over time, the album covers become synonymous with the band or musician’s brand, like Michael Jackson’s "Thriller", which is as iconic as Jackson himself.
Drawing and Illustration
Wu-Tang Expansion Saga - Expansion Family
Checkmate - Don Darko x Elric Virtuoso
Mission Complete - Don Darko x Elric Virtuoso
Living Quarters - Don Darko & Elric Virtuoso
Comotion in da Cosmo - DestheProvider x BEATBYDY
BECAME GRIM - Elric Virtuoso
RawMind Untitled
Segregated Spirits By Des
Segregated Spirits By Des - Tracklist
STATUS MOTUS - Elric Virtuoso & Hoemesolle
STATUS MOTUS - Supporting Artwork
KAMO- OFF DUTY Unreleased
Double Dragon - Elric Virtuoso & J Gooch
Double Dragon II - Elric Virtuoso & J Gooch
Double Dragon III - Elric Virtuoso & J Gooch
AXIOM - Elric Virtuoso
AXIOM - Tracklist
Sun Shy - Elric Virtuoso
EYE.I.EYE - Elric Virtuoso
EYE.I.EYE - Tracklist
The Lonely Soldier - Kamo
The Lonely Soldier - Tracklist
As Above So Below - KXNG R3V
Hell On Urf - Elric Virtuoso VS Blaze Jay
Untitled
Savage - OBoy Da Phantom
Mecca Mind Fraction - The Artice
Mecca Mind Fraction - Tracklist
BANEFUL - Elric Virtuoso
Mercenary Vol.1 - Verbal
Mercenary Vol.1 - Tracklist
No Vacancy - RawMind
Dusty Records - RawMind
Untitled
Sing Sing - Elric Virtuoso & Robert Ball
LOST - JMBK x OBoy
LOST - Tracklist
Stretch Armstrong - Elric Virtuoso
F.A.K.E.S. - B More
Untitled - DY
The 4th Dimension - Freq. Of Nature
#TRXNCH
GraMmaR HomEWorK - RawMind
GraMmaR HomEWorK - Tracklist
Proceed to Process - OG BREED
Proceed to Process - Tracklist
Born to Struggle - ConR
Born to Struggle - Tracklist
Hidden Tapes - Elric Virtuoso
SINEMA - Reel Wolf
Gooseflesh Reflex - Elric Virtuoso
Gooseflesh Reflex - Elric Virtuoso
R.Y.O.T. In The Streets - R.Y.O.T.
R.Y.O.T. In The Streets - Tracklist
Safe Deposit Box - Kyle Spratt x The Artice
The Art Art Artice - The Artice
Adored Nightmare - Jay Braaks
Roc Brother Tape Mix - BroRoc
Outlets - DesiDes
The Boundless Skattery Thing - The Artice
The Boundless Skattery Thing - Supporting Artwork
The Abstract Expansion - EXPFAM
Quiet Reminders - DesiDes
Colombian Connect - Elric Virtuoso x Jairo Lop3z
The Blackout - Diamond$
Politikilla - J Reno
Karavan Karl - Mush The Hippy
18K - Tae Louie
Lunar Eclipse - DesiDes x OG BREED
Burlington Coat Factory - Elric Virtuoso
The Legion Tape - EXPFAM & Affiliates
No Hook
Volcano Ice God - HP Darula
Join - Elric Virtuoso
Stray Bullets - Elric Virtuoso
Ima Beast - BroRoc
EXtinguish - BroRoc, DestheProvider, Jus Stix
Internalize - BroRoc
SPLIZZYS - DestheProvider & RawMind
Photo Manip & Compositing
d4gwyarenow - DestheProvider ft. ConR & Jae Mac (Prod. Soulful Delinquent)
TOMMY - DestheProvider ft. ESP
Ripples. Des.
Psycho-Cybernetix - Elric Virtuoso
Dog & Pony Show - Elric Virtuoso
Dog & Pony Show - Tracklist
Corner Of Cottage - RawMind & Elric Virtuoso Unreleased
Toxic Files - Elric Virtuoso
Neurosis - Elric Virtuoso
Neurosis - Elric Virtuoso
Creative Lugubriousness Through Artistic Expression - Elric Virtuoso
Creative Lugubriousness Through Artistic Expression - Tracklist
Death Rattle - Elric Virtuoso
100% - Elric Virtuoso x J Gooch x A.C.
Feel My Pain - Elric Virtuoso
BangR - Supporting Artwork
Untitled
Untitled
BangR - Supporting Artwork
BangR - Supporting Artwork
Expansion City - EXPFAM
Dashiki Season - The Artice
Dashiki Season 2 - Elric Virtuoso
Horobiru - Elric Virtuoso
Horobiru - Tracklist
Here to Stay - Half Breed
Artform - The Artice
OODALOLLIE - The Artice x Galaktus
Glitchez In My World - The Artice
Glitchez In My World - Tracklist
World Warp - Elric Virtuoso
Autovoxaphilia - The Artice
Scum Bucket - Elric Virtuoso
XZOTIC - Zot
The Last Ride - EIGHTY
Not for the Radio - EIGHTY
30 or Nothing - EIGHTY
Make It - Elric Virtuoso
Drink Alone - Elric Virtuoso
Strike Back - Elric Virtuoso
Immortalized - Elric Virtuoso
Untitled
Kid AgaiN - RawMind
Kid AgaiN - Tracklist
Sunday Service - DestheProvider
Twelve2Two - DestheProvider (Prod. J Charron)
Looseleaf - Expansion Family
XYPHER - Expansion Family
White Lite - Des (Prod. Elric Virtuoso)
Time Capsule: A Retrospective Collective - DestheProvider
Playground - Jerm.
Ancient Ones - Jerm.
CHOPPA - DestheProvider & RawMind
REMINDER - BroRoc & RawMind
City Wide Cypher - Expansion Family
What We Guilty Of - Expansion Family
Wht The - Expansion Family
Other Methods (AI, Fractal, 3D…)
Village Villains - Des x Don Darko (Prod. Dylan)
From The Booth - OBoy Da Phantom
FTP (F**K THE POLITICS) - O.G. Breed ft. Academy x Expansion Family
Pah Pah - OBoy Da Phantom
Uproariousness - Elric Virtuoso
Halfway Drunk - Elric Virtuoso x RawMind x DesiDes
TOXICATAPULT - Elric Virtuoso
Project HOPE - Paul Bonnick
Meloship Connection - Melo
Wade in the Water - Elric Virtuoso & Robert Ball
Chains - RawMind ft. Jae Mac, Elric Virtuoso, O.G. Breed (Prod. BOUCLE)
Cruise Control - RawMind (Prod. BOUCLE)
Scratch N' Spit - Expansion Family
StrayTrax 4 StreetKatz - Expansion Family
ONG - Elric Virtuoso, DestheProvider, Havoc
Death Wish - Elric Virtuoso x Kyle Spratt
Cinnamon Stix - Elric Virtuoso x RawMind
What People Are Saying
“This mans attention to detail is absolutely incredible, and is hands down the most talented artist I know. He made my album cover for my project Karavan Karl and drew the craziest hippie van you ever seen in your life. Looking forward to working with him in the future and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.”
— Mush the Hippy
“Ellis is a very talented artist and very easy to work with, I personally think he did a great job of capturing our image on the cover and I was satisfied with his work. We ended up also getting the album cover put on T-Shirts to help promote the album and they sold well, people really seemed to like them, it has become one of my personal favorites to wear as well. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for cover art.”
— Blaze Jay of Rebellious Youth of Theory (R.Y.O.T.)
“I got an album cover done from Ellis, I came to him with a rough idea and he brought it to life perfectly within a few days. Super professional and great work. Highly recommended!”
— Connor Rush-Middleton
Design Packages
Front Cover Art
100% original artwork using digital or traditional mediums. Digital Painting; Illustration; Photo Manipulation (may provide images if necessary). Whatever your vision, I’ll represent it and make it a reality using my many years of experience and expertise. Ideal for online album or mixtape releases.
Front and Back Cover Art
This bundle includes the full package. Designs for jewel cases, front and back cover art, and Disc design made 100% original using digital or traditional mediums. Digital Painting; Illustration; Photo Manipulation (may provide images if necessary). Let’s make your vision become a reality. Give your fans something tangible.