Chapter XXX: Color in the history of design
Alex Steinweiss: the pioneer in music cover design
Alex Steinweiss: the pioneer in music cover design
Alexander Steinweiss was born on march 24th 1917 and he died on 17th July 2011. He was a graphic Northamerican designer known for being the first to design vinyl album covers.
What happened in the thirties?
What happened in the thirties?
In the 30’s the vinyl album covers used to be flat, and with very little design, and just a few cover albums had the option to be acquired with a special box, this one was sold separately. In 1938 Alexander Steinweiss, was the first art director for Columbia records, he proposed to create a flashy cover for each album that could be categorically influenced the musical sales. During the second World War, Steinweiss became the Art director for Columbia records, in the Columbia Records matrix house.
Why is this color different?
In 1962 the Pantone system was created, this is an important tool for the comparison and communication within the graphic arts. Is feasible that album cover colors designed in the first 30 years of Steinweiss career, had changes of tonalities, either by the different types of inks or by the machines used.
