My Album Covers: From Photographs to Artwork

Illustration by Zoran Cardula, 2022

Album art in the Spotify age is a dying breed, but I believe that we must keep the flame burning. Covers are more than pretty packaging – they’re the opening chords before the music even begins. They invite listeners to press play, to wonder what lies beneath.

When I started releasing music, I wanted a unique visual identity, but was limited by my inexperience and label decisions.

Despite these initial constraints, crafting my visual style slowly became a crucial part of my journey. It eventually held as much significance for me as selecting the right repertoire, musicians, and arrangements for each recording project.

The Music Demo & the First Cover

Project by Isabel Baraona in 2009

Back in 2008/2009, I embarked on my first recording adventure. While it wasn't an album, I was thrilled to have something tangible to showcase my work. From the start, I was buzzing with the idea of creating a visual identity, complete with a demo cover. My sister, Isabel Baraona, an artist whose work I greatly admired, was the perfect choice for this collaboration. Sadly, both the demo and the cover were never released!

The First Albums

In 2010, for my debut album "Mulheres," I further cherished the idea of an original artwork cover, with my sister Isabel crafting three amazing proposals. Unfortunately, the label didn't embrace the concept. At that time, a straightforward photograph on the cover appeared to be the most genuine way to present myself to the world. The cover featured an unstyled, candid snapshot of my smiling face, which felt authentic and immediate. The beautiful artwork was never published...

The cover photo of the second album, "Menescantando," shot by my friend Sofia Lobato, is expansive and contrasts the vibrant pink of my dress and the joyful movement with grey tones. In "3 Mundus," I'm captured by my talented friend Jane Bojadziev, shyly peeking from behind a Spanish guitar on an album that blends jazz, classical, and bossa styles from three guitarists. These covers feel like visual diaries, chronicling where I was—both literally and artistically—at that moment in time.

The Turning point

The real turning point occurred during the pandemic, affecting both music selections and album covers, as access to photographers and studios was restricted. During that period, for the first time in 5 years, I was working on a new recording project, looking for a new label, and managing everything from concept to execution on my own.

It was then that I discovered Zoran Cardula while browsing Instagram, and I was immediately drawn to his art. Cardula, a Macedonian designer and visual artist, is the most prolific graphic designer I know. His work features tributes to Yugoslav design, a Star Wars-inspired reinterpretation of Yugoslav WWII monuments, a series honouring "Las Trece Rosas" on International Women's Day 2024, among others.

The arrival of Zoran Cardula

With Zoran Cardula at the helm, each release isn’t just a sonic journey – it’s a visual escapade. He is a designer who not only listens but also requests a general concept and photos of the recording process. With this information, he drafts multiple proposals, turning a color palette into a philosophical discussion! Collaborating with Zoran is like attending a surprise party: the outcome is unpredictable, yet you can be certain it will be extraordinary, vibrant, and evocative of the music and Bossa Nova ambiance.

Listeners quickly noticed the fresh visual identity, with some messaging to express how stunning the new artwork was and how it captivated them. The interaction between music and art felt more vibrant than ever.

The next time you stream tracks from "Everyday a Little Love" (INTEK) and "The Complete Bari Sessions" (GEMINI), remember that Zoran Cardula's magic is behind each cover. Feel free to judge these albums by their fantastic covers!