GARY HARRIS is a graphic designer by profession. However, that is not his only pursuit, as he also designs compact disc covers. Gary is not the only professional in a trade that can influence how many albums an artiste can sell, based on packaging alone.
Frederick Chin and Raul 'Bones' Dunkley are also graphic designers who have created covers for locally produced albums. They have designed works for Chemist Music, Ralston Barrett, Jade Lee and Mikey John, among others in the entertainment business.
While there are those who have learnt both on the job and at tertiary institutions, there are others who have learnt the trade solely on the job.
"Some graphic designers can't design CD covers. I have a feel for it though," explains Gary, who has been at his profession for the past 16 years.
With image being almost everything, it costs from a low of $7,500 to as high as $40,000 to design a CD cover for an album or single, depending on the client. If the job is being done for a friend or a regular customer, then a 'price' can be worked out.
The cost will include illustrations, scanning of photos and will also vary with the size of the cover whether it is a single sheet or several folds.
The producer has the option of presenting his or her own idea or working with the designer's concept.
"From you understand what the client needs, you can come up with an idea for the album cover that will go with the message the CD is trying to send," explains Raul 'Bones' Dunkley, who explains that he was born with the talent of designing.
Gary agreed with Raul, but had a different twist. "You might get a photo shoot and depending on the photo shoot you may just get an idea for the album. Sometimes the artiste has an idea and you work with that idea. However, other times you get the idea based on the name of the album," he pointed out. Raul has designed several albums, some of which have been released on the underground circuit. He is the designer behind Mikey John's Trod'N To Zion, a compilation of the songs on the 'Zion Gate' rhythm. He has also done illustrations on Rookie's Super Stars album and Lovindeer's Super Size It.
Album cover designing has become somewhat the norm for Gary. He has been doing it for nine years and has done a lot of work, some of which was for albums which were not released locally. He has done work for Lt. Stitchie, Papa San and Junior Tucker and others.
"I've done quite a bit for Gussie Clarke and Danny Brownie," explains Gary Harris, who learnt his craft at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.
There are no complaints about the volume of work coming in. None of the graphic artists interviewed have had to advertise their services, as they have been getting good feedback from clients, with one job leading to others.
"I don't advertise and I still get clients because people are enthused with it. I don't rate myself as the best but I manage to keep my clients happy," Frederick said.
With globalisation, more and more Jamaican artistes are taking packaging seriously.
Gary explained that several CD covers have gone on to become collectors' items because of their designs.
"Gone are the days when a man used to take a photo under a tree and put it on his album. He now has to compete with others, so he taking packaging seriously," he said.
Leighton Williams
