ALBUM ART LOVE: For the love of album covers; a discussion with LUKE DURAN

We ALL have those albums that kidnapped our attention, etching their resonance into our psyche at a young age with the power of the aesthetic, even before we got to actually LISTEN to the contents. Combining those elements was the game-changer for most of us, cementing our love and appreciation for certain bands and performers based on the combination of themes, references and art.

Luke Duran is one of the greatest graphic designers I know (he crafted All Access Live with Kevin Rankin’s logo!), and for 22 years served as the art director for Montana Outdoors magazine, and recently began work as art director for Montana Historical Society publications. Luke operates Element L Design, a freelance design business specializing in visual identity, branding, publications, and graphic design for nonprofits that he supports.

35 years ago, Luke and I started our musical careers performing in bands together and sharing our love for bands and their accompanying album art. Now that Luke has assembled a program for discussion of the appreciation for album art that moves us, it was the perfect time to share this reflection with you!

Sponsored in part by Music Millennium and Five Star Guitars.