On a hunt for graphic designs

I wanted to begin by searching for graphic style designs that stood out and interested me when i looked at them. I felt if i could find a selection, i would be able to notice the styles and techniques that I find most appealing and attractive.

I felt there was no better place to start, than to look through CD covers in my iTunes library. Cd covers are renown for there design style that has to capture the eye, therefor I felt this was the best place to start...

 

I grouped these two covers together, as i felt they incorporate very similar styles. Both covers contain the use of silhouette, half tone that really captures my attention. James Blunts album also incorporates the idea of the 'golden section' with the wavy pictographic images leading the viewers eyes toward the face and the title.

I do, however, prefer the cover to the right, as I enjoy the use of   heavy light and dark contrast combined with a few details of colour, as I feel it has a more intriguing and interesting motion that would attract viewers.

 

I felt these two covers also went well together due to their similarities. Although they use different shapes the bubbles(left) and the lines(right) both lead up and off the page from practically the same spot in the bottom left of the cover which I feel provides a nice touch and would look good if it continued down the back of the cover. What interests me the most about both of these covers is the use of the scratchy, kind of worn down rugged appearance of the background. I feel it provides a nice touch and adds a sense of value to both covers.

The two Cd covers on the left are very similar in style. I have a strong liking for the use of simple black and white contrast, as I feel it has such an impact and effect upon the viewer. I prefer the top cover so much more as i feel the bottom one looks slightly too washed out and grey scale, rather than enhancing the powerful contrast. Similarly to the cover above, what also attracts me is the wires and also the other wavy lines leading off of the cover, and again, as i said above it would look even more effective if the wires and lines continued around the back and bind of the cover.

Although it could be argued that this cover is lacking in the graphic design aspects that the above covers have in abundance. i do that this is still a great and effective Cd cover. What really attracts me is just the plain and easy simplicity of the cover, that somehow carries an emotion in the viewer. When i look at the Cd it takes me back to old school days, with the rugged paper that the image is stuck too with some dirty masking tape. The image itself is off a baby which adds to the idea of an old school memory, and to me this makes me happy and draws me into liking the the cover, and no doubt, as i did, consequently buying the Cd.