Agencies that Specialise in Music
I wanted to see if I could find agencies that specifically work in the music industry. This seems to be quite uncommon for an agency to be so specific, which is one reason why I find it so interesting.
Devolution Designs - www.devolutiondesigns.co.uk
Devolution Designs was started by myself in 2006 and has steadily grown over the years building a solid reputation for original design work and a professional, client focussed work ethic.
They have a large and varied client list representing some of the biggest names in music and media, from Goldie’s infamous Metalheadz record label and drum and bass’ mammoth Ram Records through to death metal bands.
Devolution Designs started as a one man operation but has steadily grown and is now able to offer a large variety of design services geared primarily for the music and media industries. Including, web design, web banners and on-line marketing, motion graphics, video animation, logo and branding design, full art direction, promotional advertising, flyers as well of course of providing some of the freshest CD album and record sleeve artwork in the business.
Devolution Designs started as a one man operation but has steadily grown and is now able to offer a large variety of design services geared primarily for the music and media industries. Including, web design, web banners and on-line marketing, motion graphics, video animation, logo and branding design, full art direction, promotional advertising, flyers as well of course of providing some of the freshest CD album and record sleeve artwork in the business.
Client List
I have highlighted aome of the artists that I like, and people I would like to work with.
Metalheadz / Pendulum / Lifted Music / Shogun Audio / Renegade Hardware / State Of Mind / Nero / Love Music Hate Racism / Fyuchaflex / Ram Records / Audio Zoo / + Thought / Clear Skies / Lifestyle / XOYO / Good Looking / Contemplate Recordings / Basslaced / Unchaste Clothing / Charge Recordings / Champion Sound / One True King Clothing / Hardcore Heaven / Candlelight Records / Playaz / Renegade Hardware / Skitz / Monsta / Sigma / Life Recordings / SUV / Axiom / Engine Earz Experiment / Cable / JHO Oakley Management / Infarared / MoFo / Lion Dub / Serial Killaz / Dragon Drop / D Style / Spearhead / Ganja Records / MTA Records / Sage / Virus Syndicate / DNAudio / Utopia Music / Subzone / Pete Rann / Nu Frontier / Nu Urban Music / Dirty Stack / Green Planet Football / Life Recordings / SUV / Metrik / Karma / Sakura / Defcom Recordings / Benny Page / G13 / DJ Solution / Mix Bar / Flare Creative Marketing / Strange Brew / Chase And Status / Aruba Red / Breakin Science / Elemental / Fall Out Records / THTC Clothing / Covert / Musik Hertz / Flatline / Frequency Recordings / KMag / Full Cycle / Infectious PR / Q Bik & Seeka / Full Effect / Tokyo Dub / Motion / Viper Recordings / Total Marketing / Hijack / Pledge Music / Science Frikshun SA / Mindstorm / Nyumba / King Kong Promotions / We Fear Silence / Mayhem Festival / Hidden London / Custom / Street Life / Trigga / Congo Natty / Run Tingz Recordings / Autopsy / Restless Natives / MC Assassin / Proximity Recordings / Sub City / Mindtech / Monsta / Trust In Music / Talkin Beatz / Quarantine Recordings / Frequency Recordings / Beat Masters / Killa Bytes / State Of Mind / Versed Music / Evolution Brighton / Circus Records / Doctor P / Flux Pavillion / Maximum Boost Artist Management / Mob Tactics / Grad Web / Mastermind Recordings / Dexcell / Butlins / Funtcase / Detonate / Syndaeisia / Future Loops / Sound Sonic / Versed / The Force / Shhhed / Future Loops / Cool Hand Group / Vampire Records / Syla & Vibes / One Nation / Kult DJ / Liftin Sprirt / Kromeink / We Fear Silence
Examples of Work
Unfortunately, I found it hard to find more studios that specialise in just music. Furthermore, I am not keen on many of the designs produced by the above studio. I decided that a more efficient way of spending my time would be to look into specific projects produced by studios that are multi - disciplinary.
Music Related Projects
Vinyl Cover With Analog Light Animation - Michael Hansen - Denmark
An album cover for the modern classical composer Allan Gravgaard Madsen. My idea was to translate Allan’s sensorial music into a visual experience with elements of sensuality. The two pieces of music is separated on the records two sides. There is not an A- or B-side. Each piece has its own front page; Waves is a visualisation of the music performed by nine trompets. I made it as simple as possible with nine circles on a line. Crystal Tapestry is a pattern of crystals that has no front or back end, it refers to a crystal that merge into it self. Inside I made a visualisation that combines the two sides, a crystalized wave. On the record i created patterns that gives the design a visual sensuality. I made an analog animation with a 50 Hz strobe lamp and made it interact with the music.
I love the concept behind this vinyl, and I am surprised it hasn't been done before. The use of analog light information is a step away from digital animation, and has been around since the Victorian times, with the invention of the magic lantern. It's interesting how the use of something physical (the vinyl) can add a much needed excitement, which could not be achieved if the same song was listened to as an MP3.
Poema - Studio Airport - Netherlands
Club Poema is Utrecht’s most popular techno club.
With this campaign we’ve used painted hand-masks in a series of portraits.
Check out their website - www.studio-airport.nl
I really like this campaign. Normally, I would hate the idea of working with promotional posters for hospitality. However, this series of posters hold a strong and original theme throughout, and the process is much more interesting than your typical 'strictly digital' poster. It has inspired me to try and use photographer more in my work, in a unique and creative way.
MixTape - Marco Nenzi - Italy
Eveson - Kevin Harald - Budapest
One way I think physical music could have a come back could be the way in which is is packaged. Kevin Harald has thought of a great way a CD can be presented, giving the design on the CD recognition it truly deserves.
Swept Away - Ruslan Khasanov - Russia
The XX logo is iconic, and can now be instantly recognised. Their logo is instantly recognised by the simple 'X'. The inside has been left as a blank canvas, which can be filled with bright colours, giving the band much more scope for further designs.
