Album Cover Research: What is the Purpose?

An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10 in (25 cm) and 12 in (30 cm) 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records (either in several connected sleeves or a box), or the front-facing panel of a CD package, and, increasingly, the primary image accompanying a Digital download of the album, or of its individual tracks. In addition, in the case of all types of records, it also serves as part of the protective sleeve.

Typically the function of an Album front cover is to express and represent the meaning behind the record or show the audience who the artist is, putting their own stamp on it in a sense. Artists and Record companies put a lot of thought, time and effort into making the perfect cover to go with the record as it is important when it comes to the consumers of the product. The colour scheme is thought through carefully for a lot as this is likely to be what catches the eye of the consumers, but not necessarily the only thing. Some artists will focus on the image and try to put something more artistic or metaphorical that will connote the meaning behind the songs on the record. Ultimately the processes of Album covers will relate to Audience reception theory as the marketers and artists will produce a text/ image filled with codes, conventions, signs and signifiers but in the end it will come down to how the text is interpreted by the Consumers.