Top 6 Ways to Get High Quality Album Cover Art

The Best Ways to Get High Quality Album Art

Of course, captivating music is essential for success. But don't underestimate the power of your album art! It's the first impression potential listeners will have, and a top-tier cover can grab their attention and draw them in. If you're searching for ways to create the best and most high-quality artwork for your music, here are several approaches you can consider.:

1.  Get Mega Album Art Pack

If you're looking for a quick, inexpensive and high quality options, the Vocal Pockets Mega Album Art Pack is a top choice. This timeless collection boasts over 200 high-quality, eye-catching designs that complement diverse musical styles, including hip-hop, Lofi, EDM, rock, R&B, country, Afrobeats, jazz and more! Here are all more reasons why you should use it:

Pros

• Extensive library of over 200 high-quality, eye-catching images designed to be used as cover art
• Easily customizable with free tools like Canva, Fotor, Photopea and Gimp
• Links to training videos which help you understand how you can customize images
• It saves you both time and money (you can get your artwork in 5 minutes. You don’t have to spend hours finding and negotiating with designers. The pack of +200 images may also be less expensive than the cost of a designer).
• Gives your music its well-deserved aesthetics.

Cons

• You don’t get the personalized touch of artwork made by a hired designer .

2.  Hire an Artist for Custom Cover Art

Another way to create high-quality album art is to hire or commission an artist. A good artist can take your idea and bring it to life. Here are a few places where you can find an artist for custom cover art:

• Freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr
• Online Art Communities
• Art websites like Behance and Dribble
• Art groups on social media websites like Facebook and Reddit.
  

Pros

• Your artwork will be unique.

Cons

• Designers may charge a lot and it may take them weeks or longer to produce the artwork.
• You will also have to spend days or even weeks finding and negotiating with designers.
• There’s a risk that they may not fully capture your idea.
• It can be costly for just one design.

3.  Do It Yourself (DIY) Using Tools like Photoshop.

For those who enjoy the creative process and have the time, designing your own album art can be a rewarding experience. For this option, we recommend finding inspiration by immersing yourself in various art styles that you can explore via online galleries and forums. You then may want to sketch out your ideas on paper and then use image editing tools like Photoshop to bring your idea to life. You can also incorporate images from websites like Pexels and Pixabay into your design.

Pros

• Affordable and sometimes even free
• You have a full creative freedom
• Your artwork will be unique

Cons

• It may be hard to transfer your thoughts into an artwork if you are not a designer.
• If you are not a designer, it can take months for you to master these tools and create cover art that captures your vision.
• Tools like Photoshop may be expensive

4.  Use AI to Create Revolutionizing Effect

The design world, like many others, has seen a surge in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This powerful technology offers musicians a unique way to create high-quality and visually appealing album art.

AI tools utilize a combination of advanced algorithms and human input to generate unique designs. By providing textual and image prompts along with your brand logo or music name, you can guide the AI towards a specific aesthetic. This empowers you to harness the power of machine learning to generate original artwork that complements your music.

Pros

• Tons of possibilities 
• You are not dependent on a designer.

Cons

• To get top tier results, it often takes weeks or months of learning prompt engineering. There’s a reason companies are hiring prompt engineers.
• The resolution of the resulting image may not be up to standards meaning you’ll need to use additional tools to enhance the resolution
• Creating too many images may make it difficult to decide on a winner.
• Your generations may be public meaning others can easily use them. To prevent this, you may have to pay additional money. For example, as of the date of this post, to produce images in stealth mode in Midjourney, it’d cost $60/month.

5.  Plan a Photoshoot

Photoshoots present a compelling avenue for crafting album art that not only grabs attention but also deeply resonates with the essence of your music or the narrative behind your music video.

Let's delve deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing photoshoots for your album art:

Pros

• The viewer will get to know “you” more through the photoshoot
• Your pose, outfit, environment and background can tell their own story
• The work will likely look professional
• The cover art will be unique

Cons

• It may take time to schedule and set up the photoshoot
• Hiring a photographer may be expensive
  
• It may take additional time and money to edit the photos (e.g., color correction or adding effects)

6.  Get Fans Involved in Album Artwork 

One avenue for creating album art is to get your fans involved in the process. Since your fans are the ones who will be purchasing your merchandise and supporting your music, it may be a fun idea to engage them in the process (e.g., having them submit designs, giving feedback on drafts, etc…)

Pros

• Involving your fans in the design process will help build a sense of community.
• Asking for feedback from fans would help you gain better ideas and create a better result.

Cons

• Not all fans will agree on everything 
• Managing fan input may be time consuming 
• Certain fans may not know how to deliver constructive feedback therefore give harsh feedback.

Wrapping Up

Album art is your music’s visual voice. The ideal approach to creating it hinges on your individual needs and resources. Consider your budget, artistic skills, desired level of control, and creative vision to choose the method that best aligns with your goals and empowers you to visually represent your musical identity.

We hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and inspiration to create an album cover that authentically reflects your music and resonates with your audience. 

Helpful FAQs

What Should My Album Cover Include?

Your album cover acts as the primary advertisement for your music. Therefore, it should always include:

Your artist name and logo: Ensure clear and prominent display for brand recognition.

Album/song title: Showcase it in a visually appealing font that complements the overall design.

Eye-catching imagery: Connect with your music's theme or evoke the emotions you want to convey.

Track listing (back cover): Include it for easy reference by listeners.

What Makes an Iconic Album Cover?

Iconic album covers share a common thread: they closely relate to the music they represent. The design should tell a story that resonates with the music, fostering a deeper connection with listeners.

What is Not Allowed on an Album Cover?

Using copyrighted images without permission is strictly prohibited. Always obtain proper authorization before including any copyrighted material in your album art.

What are the Elements of Art in an Album Cover?

Effective album covers often utilize various design elements such as:

Appealing color palettes: Colors can evoke specific emotions and complement the overall theme.

Typography: Select legible and visually appealing fonts that reflect your artistic style.

Implied textures: Utilize design elements or photo manipulation to add depth and interest.

Negative space: Employ negative space effectively to create balance and guide the viewer's eye.

What are Popular Tools I Can Use to Create Album Art?

The choice of tool ultimately depends on your preference and budget. Here are some popular options:

Pre-made Art Designed for Musicians: The Vocal Pockets Mega Album Art Pack

Desktop Software: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP (free)

Online Design Platforms: Canva, Fotor, Crello

AI Art Generators: Midjourney, Dalle-E