Music is a big part of my life. Not only do I spend hours listening for the perfect new song or album, but being immersed in the backstage life of a technician I get to meet different musicians, see their work in person, and learn more than I ever thought I would about the world of music and the industry. It’s kind-of by design. From an early age I was attracted to it, but without the skill or talent for music the only way to get close to that world was to enter through the back stage door.
So I guess I have a soft spot for music and when a friend recommended me to an artist she was working with, I made time to hear her out. Amanda Castro turned out to be the nicest person I have ever worked with and like most jazz artists I’ve spent time with, super easy going. So when she asked about making an album cover I made an effort to find a way to make it work. And I am very pleased with the results.
Since, like most starving artists, budget was a constraint, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to make anything too elaborate. Luckily she handed me a photo that I was able to build off of which enabled me to focus on the typeface. This narrow scope allowed me to keep my time, and thus costs, to minimum. It was also Amanda’s idea to make the CD look like a record – nice touch for that old timey feel.
Robert C. Olson 