Glaser's Cover Art Analysis

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As our view of the word art has changed over the years, so have the fields of illustration and graphic design. Illustration is essentially a method of explaining or sending a message without many words. There are many approaches to creating an illustration, and many examples of famous illustrators who have drastically different styles and yet still found success in the field. An example of a grand and cinematic style is Norman Rockwell’s. His work is incredibly recognizable and yet not a spot-on realistic interpretation of his photographic references. He used reference to create poses, then put his touch on the arrangement of the piece. This would result in distinct differences from photo to drawing. Some of his more well-known work would be …show more content…

The portrait of Friedman is rendered in a much more realistic style than normal for Glaser, and the design element comes in the form of a graph overlayed over the portrait. The impact this cover has on a viewer might not be as significant without the graph. The graph overlayed over an image of an economist can have different connotations based on the individual, and part of the goal of cover art is to grab the attention of potential buyers. My personal favorite of Glaser’s work for TIME are his California pieces. The cover gives off fun vibes, and the other piece expands on this feeling with playful text. On the cover, Glaser again uses flats and shapes of darker color rather than realistic rendering. The playful color palate adds to the fun energetic feeling that both these pieces evoke. With the second piece, Glaser uses some elements from the cover such as the burger and the woman, while adding areas of white and colorless drawings. Milton Glaser created these TIME covers in the 70s. With the ever-changing art scene and introduction of new technology, this mix of simplistic design and more illustrative elements would become more prevalent in the coming …show more content…

Nagel worked in a very design and fashion-like style, producing work for musicians such as Tommy James and Thelma Houston and more commercial companies. He had a unique process that resulted in his style of work. He started each piece with photography, then began removing elements and simplifying the photograph. This process flattened his artwork but emphasized elements such as clothing, faces or hair. Nagel found work with companies such as Intel and Budweiser, and also created illustrations for Playboy and designed album covers for many musicians and bands. One of his most famous works is the cover he did for Duran Duran’s Rio. Starting around the 60s, the field of illustration underwent many changes. Political issues were one element of American culture that were reflected in the art of the time. Anti-war posters such as “Strike!” or “Come Together in Peace” features text and iconic imagery of hands to tell a message. These posters were simple in style and moved away from illustrative qualities. There were many more posters pro and anti-war that were designed in this simplistic manner. Glaser also produced some iconic work during this time period such as the Dylan

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