Double LP design for Umberto. Created by Wilfred Aldrich
Roles
Illustration. Type design. Graphic production. Layout.
Goals
Create a physical double LP packaging. Become familiar with graphic production, die-lines and layout. Create an immersive visual experience worthy of a double LP listening experience.
Process
Research and Visual inspiration
Bob Ross in Space?
Under the name Umberto Los Angeles-based electronic musician Matt Hill composes music that pays homage to the soundtracks of '70s and '80s horror films, as well as other musical genres from the era such as Italo-disco and ambient. I was Inspired visually by Progressive rock albums and vintage sci fi novel covers of the ‘70s and 80s. As well as landscape photography.
Main Concept
Confrontations.
Imagine a small piece of a busy world suddenly inconvenienced by a global catastrophe caused by an invading presence. And the critical point of impact where there is no other option than to except the ensuing confrontations.
Type Creation
When in doubt DIY
As I was designing this album, I searched far and wide for the perfect font for a logo-mark. Umberto does not currently have a consistent logo. So I decided to create one for this album. I was inspired by type design of Italian Futurism as well as the Ferrari logo-type.
Illustration and layout
Photoshop/ Indesign fun.
The illustration for this project was done in PhotoShop using multiple brushes, masks and layer adjustments. I was informed and inspired by airbrushing and watercolor techniques. The layout, die lines, bleeds and crop marks were done using Indesign.
Final thought
Lessons learned
Making this album concept was pure joy. Not only did I learn more about one of my favorite artists, but I learned about production techniques as well as layout and micro type. And I had an opportunity to express myself visually in one of my favorite mediums, digital painting. One challenge was that most Umberto albums contain 7-8 songs, to solve this I combined 2 Umberto albums.