Digital Art Composites

Communication Design Capstone Project
Swinburne University of Technology

"We are Eternal" Inspired by Progressive Rock

Progressive Rock is far from simple. The compositions are ambitious and the music is sheer mastery. A lot of progressive rock artists are spiritually minded and this ideology is very present in their music. Albums are concept-driven and thought -provoking. Inspired by the legendary band TOOL using a sample of one of their outro lyrics: “This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment, remember. We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion.” I wanted to portray the connection we all have to the earth and the universe as this message is notable in Progressive Rock. I feel as though this album cover represents those exact lyrics. With the use of fingerprints creating the sky and mountains, it shows our connection and gives off the same meaning, embrace the moment, we are eternal.

Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself

Psychedelic Rock Inspired

Psychedelic Rock has so many aspects to the genre. I wanted to capture the rawness and the freedom of mind Psychedelic brings. It incorporates eccentric studio effects such as reverb, distortion, phasing, reversed sound and the Wah Wah is characteristic of this genre. Using horizontal lines across the whole design mimics that fuzz sound that is so common the audience needs to feel the movement and vibration within the design as if the image was playing the music. The vertical (fuzz) glitch line brings the eye down which is greeted by the organic blue flowing line drawing the eyes across the design where the glitter air bubbles look as though the fuzz vibration has made them move. This image takes you on a visual trip and sensory trip.

A tribute to Industrial Rock

Industrial Rock is very transgressive, dark and quite often disturbing. This genre is an acquired taste. Industrial Rock is the exploration and contrast between high tech and low life. The design was created to represent the macabre and dystopian themes prominent in this genre; the distorted reality between man and machine, the abuse and torture. The use of my brain and spine MRIs to create something that looks like it should be cast down to hell represents the morbid, grotesque concepts and the cyberpunk way in which certain sounds within the music are created and utilised.

Concept for a Progressive Rock Album Cover

Progressive rock is well known for its weird, intricate and wonderful album cover art and music that portrays a deeper meaning or theme. The album is a journey from the first song to the last, even flipping through the CD booklet is a voyage in itself. No two songs are the same using a variety of time signatures and instruments. Lyrics are often inspired by history and literature. With the use of the blue butterfly’s symbology, the ghostly figure of the man in the background that this album art has a deeper meaning and story to tell. The use of random words throughout the background such as “connection..... soon forgotten” only adds to the curiosity. It prompts the viewer to delve deeper, to gain insight on potential meanings of the music.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Blues Man

The name “Blues” is a symbol of sadness and depression. Blues rock is typically representing the working class just trying to earn a living in an often oppressed environment. This tenderness is very present in the genre and I wanted to convey the feeling of sadness and uncertainty surrounding this man. As if he were headed to the crossroads to make his deal with the devil just to provide for his family and stay afloat regardless of consequence. I chose oil pastels as my medium as I wanted to give the design texture using the scratching technique to portray the mediocrity of the working class - this man works hard and it shows in his face. The tilted hat hiding his eyes in the darkness and the cigarette in his mouth emphasize feelings of stress and hard times which are so often sung about in Blues Rock.