What Inspired Tame Impala Album Cover? Design Secrets

The psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, led by Kevin Parker, has been a staple of the music industry for over a decade, with a unique sound that blends psychedelic rock, indie rock, and electronic music. One of the most distinctive aspects of Tame Impala’s brand is their album artwork, which has become an integral part of their identity. The album covers are not just visually stunning, but also hold deep symbolic meaning and are inspired by a mix of art, design, and personal experiences.

To understand what inspired the Tame Impala album cover, we need to delve into the creative process of Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind the band. Parker has mentioned in interviews that he is heavily influenced by psychedelic art, surrealism, and the works of artists such as René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, and M.C. Escher. These influences can be seen in the dreamlike, often surreal quality of Tame Impala’s album covers.

The debut album “Innerspeaker” (2010) features a cover designed by Norwegian artist and musician, Leif Podhajsky. The cover art depicts a psychedelic landscape with a dreamlike quality, featuring a mix of abstract shapes, colors, and patterns. The design is meant to evoke the idea of an inner world, a place where the listener can escape and explore their own thoughts and emotions. This theme is reflected in the album’s music, which explores themes of introspection, self-discovery, and the blurring of boundaries between reality and fantasy.

For the second album “Lonerism” (2012), Parker worked with photographer and artist, Pablo Alvarez, to create a cover that features a photograph of a swirling, psychedelic pattern. The image is meant to evoke the idea of a vortex, pulling the listener into a world of sound and color. The cover art also features a mix of abstract shapes and patterns, which are meant to represent the idea of a fragmented and disjointed reality.

The third album “Currents” (2015) features a cover designed by Parker himself, in collaboration with artist and designer, Robert Beatty. The cover art depicts a stylized image of a wave, which is meant to represent the idea of change and transformation. The wave is also a symbol of the emotional journey that Parker embarked on during the creation of the album, which explores themes of love, relationships, and personal growth.

The most recent album “Slow Rush” (2020) features a cover designed by Parker, in collaboration with artist and designer, Juan Luis García. The cover art depicts a stylized image of a sketch of a landscape, which is meant to represent the idea of a world in constant motion and change. The cover art also features a mix of abstract shapes and patterns, which are meant to evoke the idea of a dreamlike, surreal quality.

In terms of design secrets, Parker has mentioned that he often uses a combination of digital and analog techniques to create the album artwork. He has also mentioned that he is heavily influenced by the works of designers such as Peter Saville, who is known for his work with bands such as Joy Division and New Order. Saville’s designs often feature a mix of bold, geometric shapes and abstract patterns, which can be seen in Tame Impala’s album artwork.

Another key influence on Tame Impala’s album artwork is the work of artist and designer, Storm Thorgerson, who is known for his work with bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Thorgerson’s designs often feature a mix of surreal and abstract imagery, which can be seen in Tame Impala’s album artwork. Parker has mentioned that he is a big fan of Thorgerson’s work and has often sought to emulate his style in his own designs.

In conclusion, the Tame Impala album cover is a reflection of Kevin Parker’s unique creative vision and his desire to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of album artwork. The covers are not just visually stunning, but also hold deep symbolic meaning and are inspired by a mix of art, design, and personal experiences. By exploring the design secrets behind the album artwork, we can gain a deeper understanding of the creative process and the themes and ideas that underlie Tame Impala’s music.

In terms of specific design techniques, Parker has mentioned that he often uses a combination of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create the album artwork. He has also mentioned that he is a big fan of the work of designers such as Jonathan Barnbrook, who is known for his work with bands such as David Bowie and Arcade Fire. Barnbrook’s designs often feature a mix of bold, geometric shapes and abstract patterns, which can be seen in Tame Impala’s album artwork.

To create album artwork that is both visually stunning and symbolic, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of the themes and ideas that underlie the music. Parker has mentioned that he often spends hours listening to the music and brainstorming ideas for the album artwork, before beginning the design process. This approach allows him to create artwork that is truly unique and memorable, and that reflects the band’s creative vision.

By following these steps, designers can create album artwork that is both visually stunning and symbolic, and that reflects the band’s creative vision. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, the key to creating great album artwork is to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries of what is possible.