Zip goes retro with Little Mothers CD

For a band or individual artist, CD covers are the most prominent form of profile building. Graphic designers working in this niche often stay with an act, helping develop a visual brand which consumers can pick up on.

Zip Design has worked with Little Mothers since last summer, and has now created four singles and an album cover. The next single, Yes, is out on Island Records on 25 October, and continues in the style originated by the consultancy.

Zip creative director Peter Chadwick discussed cover ideas with Little Mothers’ main song writer and the label’s product manager Chris Hendrie. He then researched the concept further with illustrator Chris Kasch.

Chadwick put together an initial idea for layout, after which Kasch started work on the painting.

Each cover follows the formula of a template Zip set up last summer. ‘We looked through old design books and classic rock sleeve books… We take modern themes and products and give them a retro feel,’ says Chadwick at five-strong Zip. The characters in the picture reflect the subject matter of some of the guitar-based tracks, many of which are about the band’s personal experiences.

Zip is now looking to move the design forward. ‘I would like to keep it illustration or art-based, but possibly use screen printing,’ says Chadwick.

Design: Zip Design

Art director: Peter Chadwick

Graphic designer: Chris Harrison

Client: Island Records