How To Be a Cover Artist
Artistic ability and a creative mind are only two of the requirements to begin designing cover art for albums and books. Cover artists give consumers a visual first peek inside an album or book and draw the consumer’s attention to the product. Unique cover art can become as recognized as the body of work itself.
Things You'll Need:
- Website design knowledge
- Business or calling cards
- Portfolio of artwork
- Business style folders
- Build a website that features you and your artwork. Make the website clear, concise, and user friendly. You will want to refer people back to your website, so ensure that all links are working and the website is professional.
- Assemble packets of your artwork to hand out to potential clients. The packets can be in a business style folder and should include reproduced portions of your portfolio and your calling card. Make sure the packets are an accurate summary of your artwork and provide adequate contact information.
- Visit local bands and musicians and talk to them in person after or before their shows. Explain that you are an album cover artist and you would like to design their next album cover. Don't press them for a commitment right away, but make a good impression. When the conversation is finished, hand them one of the packets you made in Step 2. If you want to design book album artwork, send your packets to publishing companies per the instructions on their websites.
- Follow up with the people who have received your artwork packet, be polite but don't be pushy.
Becoming a well-known album or book cover artist takes patience and persistence. Don't expect to become famous right away. Keep your body of work updated and never stop making art even if you become discouraged.