Documenting my research.

I really hate my own handwriting. When I am writing nicely and thoughtfully and carefully it doesn't bother me so much, but who writes that way when they are trying to jot ideas down?! Because I hate my handwriting, I don't sketch and doodle and journal as much as I should. I am trying to break myself of this neurosis. Until then, I will blog out my thought process.

For my cd project I have picked Pearl Jam's "Lost Dogs." I picked Pearl Jam for 2 reasons:

• They have been my favorite band since I was 12. They still have the ability to affect me as deeply as they did 15 years ago. They constantly reinvent themselves, they aren't afraid to take chances, they create stuff that is true to their vision, whether it is popular or not. I am very familiar with them and their music, design, belief system, etc, and so I wouldn't have to do quite as much research. They say "write what you know." I think the same is true for design.
• In keeping with my thesis, I wanted to pick a band who influenced me the most when I was performing and creating music. I am inspired by the skill, versatility and drive of every single one of the band members, and I tried to cultivate those qualities in myself.

"Lost Dogs" is a collection of B-sides and rarities. The reason I chose this particular release is because it features music that spans the 13 years of the band's career and is a double disk set.

This is the existing artwork for the release: It features a large textured metal trash can filled with tape that has been discarded. I actually like this idea. I think the image and the mood fit in with PJ's style. The front says "These are the ones that didn't make the cut."


On the back is a simiarly toned photo of flyers searching for lost dogs. (Will upload an image, need to scan it first.) This to me says "We've lost our babies. We miss them and we want them to come home." I kind of like the idea that even though the songs didn't make the official releases, they are still valued and beloved. Maybe I have got this all wrong, but to me the compilation represents all the lost rarities and B-sides coming home, safe and sound in one place. (Does that make sense?)

So for the past few days I have been doing a lot of research. I have been looking at PJ concert posters to see the kinds of aesthetic and style they value, that fits them. I have been looking at past cd designs. From looking at the posters and cds, and the work of the artists they choose to create these pieces, I am really getting a feel for how I want to design my piece.

I am going to post examples of what I mean when I have time, but for now, I will just describe my ideas.

• The packaging should be unconventional. Only the first couple cds come in regular jewel cases; the rest are in these cardboard fold out things with specific pockets for liner notes. One of the releases, No Code, had collectible polaroid type cards that varied from cd to cd. I am not exactly sure of the reason for the lack of jewel cases, but I think it has something to do with the cardboard being environmentally friendly, and also the band wanting their cds to stand out from the rest.

• The concert posters are usually very bold and graphic, and definitely convey a sense of being designed by someone who knows what they are doing. They also usually make some kind of social or politicial statement.

• The concert posters and t-shirts also feature the band's name taking on various quirky shapes. You can see this in the tiger stripes I posted in a previous post, or the cross shape. I will post a couple more examples.

• The cds artwork usually conveys a deeper meaning. The cd "Vs." features a photo of a sheep who refuses to be a stereotypical, well, sheep, and is struggling to bite through a fence which is holding her captive. "No Code" has 4 flaps that when unfolded, reveal a large image that alludes to the concept behind the album.

So I feel I am off to a pretty good start here. I am in the process of sketching out ideas that will embody the above qualities but will still be different and unique and mine. Oh, I guess thats another reason I want to design artwork for Lost Dogs. I like and understand the concept, but I think it could be much more fun and experimental.

I must say, I am having a lot of fun with this!! :)