Links Roundup: Artwork and Design Inspiration for Bands and Songwriters

by Brian Casel | January 16, 2009 | Add Comment

This week’s links roundup is all things design and art related to the music world. Artwork, graphic design, and photography play a huge role in the presentation and appreciation of music. From concert promotion, cover art, web design, band photography, t-shirt design, you name it… great design matters. Here’s a batch of links to get your creative ideas flowing.

35 Beautiful Music Album Covers - From Smashing Magazine
The album is not dead! At least when it comes to cover art. This is a great source of inspiration if you’re planning an album or EP release.

Best Album Covers of 2008 - From Rolling Stone

Band Logos from Band ID book - From Sleevelessness

60 Concert Posters From Ten Amazing Artists - From Smashing Magazine
Lots of great stuff here. This is a great display of styles from different corners of the design and music world. Tremendous variety here. I personally really dig the work of Mike Klay.

50 Amazing Gig Posters Sure to Inspire - From Well Medicated
Another helping of sweet concert poster art.

Billboard Top 40 Design Showcase - From Smashing Magazine
This list reviews the website of the Billboard’s Top 40 artists. Whether you dig the mainstream stuff or not, the work that went into the web presence of these artists and bands is top notch. Is your website ready to compete?

50 Hot Myspace Music Layouts That Rock - From Mashable
90% of the design on myspace is crap. It’s unfortunate that the most popular network for bands and musicians is littered with so many awful and ametaur design layouts. These are the exceptions, which are quite exceptional uses of the Myspace medium.

The Best Damn Live Music Photography - Flickr Group
Flickr has become a great time consumer for me. This is an awesome collection of music photography. Could be a great place to post and promote your concert snapshots of your band.

T-Shirts Countdown Chart: Music T-Shirts - From T-Shirt Countdown