Hipgnosis Color Study

Cover Art + Packaging 2013

Hipgnosis was an English design group most popular in the 1970s and 80s. Made up of primarily three members (Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, and Peter Christopherson), they were responsible for iconic album covers for bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin. After gathering and categorizing several album covers, I analyzed various color relationships present in each cover. I synthesized these relationships into a color field diagram, which informed a redesign of each album cover. In total, 12 new album sleeves were designed, each featuring a redesigned cover, a color field diagram, an explanation of my analysis, and the original Hipgnosis cover.

Completed at:

RISD

Instructor:

Aki Nurosi

Black album case with the words "Hipgnosis" in colorful collage on front. Back of the album case showing a color analysis diagram on the back of one album cover .

One upright black album back cover with the words Hipgnosis in colorful collage, and three other black square information cards arranged on the table in front with various color diagrams and text on each.

Black album-sized square information card placed upright with the title "Primary Color Schemes" on it. Four vinyl album covers with large color shapes in primary color schemes, and corresponding records arranged in front on the table

Four vinyl album covers with large color shapes in complementary color schemes.

White square album cover posed upright with three color analysis diagrams, a paragraph about "Heaven and Hell" by Vangelis, and the original cover art. A card with "Monochromatic color schemes" on the right of the first. On the table flat is the front of an album cover with large blue circular shapes, and the corresponding vinyl album next to it.

A 3 by 4 grid of square album covers, with abstract color fields on each of them.