Solo Piano Recording Project

This is a recently completed design and layout for a gospel hymn project of solo piano selections. The samples show the front and back covers of the CD jewel case.

The client wanted the cover to be understood as a recording of piano music and not a vocal recording. The background keyboard image makes this clear and the solo piano text solidifies it. The project’s sales and promotion is to raise funds for a missions outreach to Asia and Africa. On the back cover, the passport graphic further clarifies this mission as does the artist’s Sri-Lanka traditional apparel.

2009 Wrap Up

To finish out 2009, here are two logos I created during the last half of the year. Dart Tailors logo combines a graphic dart crossing the "t" letters, one of which is a needle and thread. The logo will be embroidered and used in communication pieces for this Dallas-based business.

Eloquenz Concerts design incorporates the two instruments used by these European musical artists. The piano and cello. Between music selections, the duo share historical background about the selections performed. Hence their tagline, Music that Speaks. The artist and the audience interact while being served light refreshments during a concert.

Key to All Those Relationships

Here’s a recent poster design for a local church. Dual pianist compositions were to be a part of the concert and that is the basic design element in the poster…two grand pianos head to head. The abstract keys at both ends gives the poster a solid bracket for the text to stand within.

The information is displayed in relationships. For non-designers, that means grouping words with other words that go together in a logical thought sequence. Group words so they support each other. A “free concert” is further explained by “free will offering,“ for example. For another, the time and date are dominate over the location but they definitely belong together.

Certain phrases, on the other hand, should stand alone and not have a relationship with one another. When this happens, leave a little space between phrases when appropriate. Knowing the limited text and a large vertical area to utilize, I chose the use of space between lines of text. The space act as a pause for the reader. Hence the slight pause (space) above and below the title. Of course, the point size contrast also sets the title apart from everything else.

All the white text is located in an efficient area. There is no reason to try and spread everything out the entire width. Again, because I wanted to take advantage of the vertical area available. The curves of the piano graphic transports the eye across the page. All the text is aligned to the left, adding order to a slightly complex graphic background. The original empty area to the left was solved by inserting a type graphic at right angle to everything else, adding contrast and interest to all other elements. The sideways font gives the poster a slight oriental feel, signifying the concert will be intriguing, with maybe a few surprises.