subject: Cd Cover Designers & Independent Artists - The Rocky Relationship [print this page] As the industry of independent music artists grows, the need for CD cover designers to brand their image grows along with it. It is a powerful relationship that could turn an independent artist into a mainstream artist all just from the impression that a CD cover design can have. However, it is not a relationship without its flaws. There are CD cover designers out there with great reputations & many happy clients. You also have designers who are just looking to rip you off, or worse.
The goal of a CD cover designer is easy to say: They brand your image. They turn your new album into a logo that will inspire people who love that genre of music. The art of a cover talks directly to customers. That special conversation is the only chance that a designer has to explain to many customers why they must buy this CD. This goal is especially important for independent artists, making independent CD cover designers a vital investment that will help pave their way to a promising future.
But are all CD cover designers qualified to take such a responsibility?
Cost is a disadvantage for many independent artists, as some CD cover designers can be quite expensive. This is why many artists depend on the freelance market to produce the talent that they need. In this case, there are those who design CD covers for as little as $5. This has proven, however, to be an unwise investment.
Many CD cover designers are dishonest about their practices. Many of them do not purchase their own software or license any artwork they use that was not designed by them. They simply steal it all. This is one of the reasons why they are able to charge such low prices. Unaware independent artists often purchase the services of these type of CD cover designers without realizing that a very serious risk is being taken: They could get sued. If your cover has artwork that was stolen, you as the artist will be the one that faces the penalty - not the designer.
The last thing you want want as an artist is to finally achieve fame & fortune, only to have it all taken away because of a designer's dishonest practices.
CD cover designers need to know more than just knowing how to design.
The designers are creating a future for you & your music. They are responsible for capturing the hearts of customers that buy your CD through the artwork they are paid to create. But there is more to it than designing. A designer must understand the legal implications behind the work. A designer cannot just go on Google and steal any image that they want & use it however they please. It would be the poison that quietly waits for your success to begin before that poison is unleashed.
This is when investigating your designer becomes an important task. Do not ignore it. Look at their portfolio & policies. Check to see what kind of work they do. Check to see if their logo is on at least some of the artwork they have made. You need to verify that these designers are not just stealing that portfolio from someone else & acting like they were the ones who created all of that. It is much safer to spend about $100-500 for a reputable CD cover designer than to spend $10 on a freelancer in India who's designing methods put you at the mercy of a $200,000 lawsuit for copyright infringement just when you start to taste success.
