Full Cover Album of Intermittente
Full Cover Album of Intermittente
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I crafted from scratch the album cover of an indie Sicilian singer-songwriter's first publication.
I crafted from scratch the album cover of an indie Sicilian singer-songwriter's first publication.
I first met Marialaura Garrotto at the University of Catania. I loved the songs she was composing and playing with a guitar. She loved my art and the sketches in my notebook.
In 2018, Marialaura was about to publish her first music album. She came on a Friday with a photo she had spotted on Instagram, asking if I could craft the new release's cover for her.
In the picture: a cat's shadow at a window, while roofs and antennas clash against the sunset.
The photo had some elements linked with Marialaura's songs. On the other side, I liked the geometrical shape of the window frame.
She already had the title for her album: Intermittente.
Intermittente is also the title of one of the songs. The meaning of this word is associated with the irregular interruptions of frequencies captured by antennas and transmitted to TV.
A verse of another song, Asincronico, says: "I believe to the cats at the windows/ ... / and to the sky blushed by the sun at times strong / at times rather weak".
I immediately liked the idea, so I started sketching.
The album's title required a unique font.
The album's title required a unique font.
I thought the best solution was to transform Marialaura's writing in that font, showing in this way the personality behind the melodies.
I thought the best solution was to transform Marialaura's writing in that font, showing in this way the personality behind the melodies.
Framed by the window, the sunset gives colour to the front cover. The roofs, antennas and the cat outlines merge with the window’s frame.
On top of the scene, the autographed title stands out in white.
I used Krita for the illustrations. While for font, I vectorised Marialaura's writing with Inkscape.
And then comes the night...
On the back of the cover, the cat is gone, the Sun leaves the stage to a thin Moon, and the bright sky turns into a deep blue.
The perspective has changed and now offers a view of the Etna volcano, resting—as the city does.
The tracks, handwritten by the artist, are listed in two columns.
What happens inside?
Now we take a step into the artist's intimate space. We silently observe her from the window: the singer fulfils the empty room with her thoughts when the cat’s shadow falls on her sight—as time passes.
Marialaura will fulfil that space with her signature.
In the booklet, lyrics on the spotlight.
In the booklet, lyrics on the spotlight.
An intermitting lights string connects the songs' titles. Under, the lyrics display the refrain in a different colour. On the booklet's last page are the acknowledgements, the studio's signature, and contacts.
Creating the album cover for Marialaura— from the first sketch to printing—has been an incredible experience for me.
Creating the album cover for Marialaura— from the first sketch to printing—has been an incredible experience for me.
Seeing my design turn into a physical product made me happy.
Seeing my design turn into a physical product made me happy.
But what makes me the happiest is Marialaura's feedback:
But what makes me the happiest is Marialaura's feedback:
Original version
Quando ho deciso di regalare un vestito al mio album, ho pensato immediatamente a Samuele. La sua delicatezza, la sua sensibilità, la sua vena creativa e spontanea erano quello che cercavo per descrivere visivamente quello che sta nascosto in ogni mia singola nota o parola.
Le sue illustrazioni hanno soddisfatto e superato ogni aspettativa. Esse sono in grado di raccontare con semplicità e immediatezza.
La sua professionalità ha accompagnato tutto il processo creativo rendendo piacevole e perfetto il nostro "viaggio" insieme.
Consiglierei la sua mano e la sua mente a ogni artista che abbia il desiderio di illuminare la propria musica con dei colori puri e appassionati, professionali e unici nel loro genere!
English translation
When I chose to give a dress to my album, I immediately thought about Samuele. His delicacy, his sensibility, his creative vein and spontaneity was what I was looking for to visually describe what was hidden in every note or word of mine.
His illustrations satisfied and exceeded every expectation. His artwork is capable of conveying the message with simplicity and immediacy.
His professionality continued through the entire creative process, making it pleasant and perfect our "journey" together.
I would recommend his hand and his mind to every artist who has the desire to enlighten their music with pure and passionate colours, professional and unique in their kind!
Listen to Intermittente
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