The Cover of Dewa 19 Album

Design graphic has been famous in music industry, especially about cover album. As from quoted “Don’t Judge a book by it’s cover”. If we talk about the cover of an album, this terminology must have not been valid. Because it points out content from the theme and the inside character of the music. The cover design also offers us about the message and it is has got the form of art design. In the nut shell, we can enjoy the value of the esthetic point from the cover, beside we can also enjoy the songs. Designer David Howels in his book said “The album Cover Album”(issue St.Martine Press, 1984)he wrote that painted stick of cover is excellent factor for increasing album sale by interest visual form. It is Dewa 19 inspiration for painting stick every their cover album, to make it different and interested from other album. Then their album could send the message.

Dewa 19 are one of Indonesian best band. They concern with visual communication. Even they have built studio design “19 Desain”. Now this especially use for Dewa 19’s design. Dewa 19 was born in 1986 by four Junior school students. The music genre of Dewa 19 is pop rock. The reason why Dewa use “19” in the last name because the personil was 19 years old. They make cover design album and some video clips by themselves, so the album different from another Indonesian group bands. For example, REPUBLIK CINTA album. This eighth album made in two versions there are Indonesian and International version. This album made at 2005, mid of December and international album at 2006 of February. The name of album is REPUBLIK CINTA. Dewa 19 takes this name because inspired by they problems with “Front Pembela” Islam last April.

The content of Republik Cinta album are include 10 new songs: Laskar Cinta (Chapter I) Laskar Cinta (Chapter II), Emotional love song, Larut, Sedang Ingin Bercinta, Perasaankiu Tentang Perasaanku Kepadamu, Lelaki Pencemburu, Lover’s Rhapsody, Flower In Desert, Live on, Selimut Hati. Beside that in this album, Dewa 19 was recycled Queen’s song,“I want To Break Free”. This album contain 30% in English.

Dewa 19 has been ambisious for gone international , so they took EMI Records to coorperate with them to make the album. Dewa 19 keeps optimistic that album can give inspiration to all people. Dewa 19 hopes REPUBLIK CINTA album can change our society ideology about violent. And join with them to keep peace.

Concept

“I want to make Dewa 19 cover album, the title is REPUBLIK CINTA. I want a classic design”,said Ahmad Dani to Tepan Kobain (art director of Dewa 19 management, Design Graphic & Multimedia division) last November 2005. Dani is one of art fans. He wants a classic and elegant cover album, but not hustle and bustle, because this album will immediately release. Dani said that he has got an idea, to make a symbol like Indonesia symbol, “Pancasila”. He wants to make other symbol like “Republik Cinta” as his band symbol.

Reference

Reference for classic design Dewa taken from a book, the title is De Fransche Omwenteling Een Geschiedkunding Taeevel Derde Deel De Guillotine (gebr E & M Cohen Circa 18.80)

Application

To support a classic and elegant image, they have choosen Victorian Custom, The color is gold and black. Gold impression represents expensive & classic, and black gives contrast effect, strong and different.

These are steps by steps making “Republik Cinta” cover:

1.  eight side stars. It means the eighth album and it is the continuity from the last album.

2.3 Flower. There are eight flower to give beautiful and romantic impression to support love symbol.

4.5.6 They put some leaf shape in the eight shape, it’s representing a life.

7.8 The curve form means to look smooth, attractive, It contents the name of the album. Otherwise, the font looks stiff.

9. They were used 19th century leader frame. It’s to give a strong and classic impression as a symbol.

10. Extra flower frame with rectangle shape is to protect the symbol inside.

11.12 The combination between the symbol and the color

13. Inside layout. The Members Dewa 19 also appear in 19th century too. The background of old shape paper gives a classic visual impression.

Analysis

The design of an album is on the content reflection. The form of design consist of some elements:

1.  Line

The line collection is made by dot element. Generally, we know there are three characters of line; straight, curve, and corner. The cover of this album consists of many curve line. The curve line gives expressive impression. This album is made by line and the central of eight shape image.

2.  Form

The eight side form is unite altogether and strongest reflection.

3.  Color

Gold color represents expensive and classic impression. Black color as the background gives contrast, strong, and bulge effect.

4.  Font

The font is using Egyptian.It is serif font, where the form of serif is square. So, it can make a strong impression.

If we will create design of an album, we must have design principle, there are:

1.  Balance

This album includes symmetry and center balance. Because that the point of interest put in the center. The idea of making this album is classic and expensive, so it gives the suitable composition between the color and the shape.

2.  Rhythm

This album uses 19th century frame for eachphotos, it means that the rhythm has been got elaborated. The designer also puts some flower shapes to make the rhythm strong.

3.  Contrast

In world design, we must aware to this principle, if we don’t pay attention to this principle, our design will be bored.

4.  Focus

The center attention is to put on the center. That’s why, the cover of “Republik Cinta” album is the best cover of Dewa 19 records.