Cast Iron Shoes (Self-titled LP) Album Art
Role: Art Direction + Design
Timeline: Aug 21-22, 2024
Tool(s): Adobe Photoshop
Project Overview
Cast Iron Shoes, a folk rock band led by singer/songwriter and fiddle player Nicole Ridgwell, is set to release a self-titled record in September 2024. As part of this release, Nicole will have 200 x 12" vinyl records pressed, which will be sold at her music gigs and shows.
I was tasked with designing and providing art direction for the album cover art, using assets provided by the client and drawing inspiration from other artists' album covers—specifically those of Bob Dylan and Molly Tuttle—as seen below:
Challenges
Quick turnaround time: The project required a rapid turnaround due to tight deadlines for uploading and submitting digital files to the distribution company.
Image Quality: Client-provided photos that were not high-resolution, necessitating resizing and conversion to meet printing standards (CMYK color mode at 300 dpi).
Results
Working closely with Nicole, I helped select a typeface that aligned with her vision for the album. Drawing inspiration from the Bob Dylan and Molly Tuttle album covers, I designed the front and back panels of the vinyl record, skillfully blending elements from both references to create a unique and cohesive look.
Additionally, I crafted the inner circle labels for Side A and Side B of the vinyl, ensuring the design was consistent across all elements.
Once the designs were finalized, I prepared the files for production, following specific templates and guidelines provided by the vinyl pressing company. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the files met all submission requirements for both vinyl artwork and digital album art, avoiding any potential issues with rejection.
Reflections
Nicole and I first met during the City of Austin’s Artist Career Training Program in 2023. Our friendship has grown since then, rooted in mutual support for each other's artistic journeys.
Collaborating with Nicole on this album cover allowed me to contribute to a project that felt both personal and meaningful. On a lighter note, our partnership extended beyond art—Nicole kindly offered to mow our lawn in exchange for my design services, a much-appreciated trade, especially given the Texas heat!