CD Artwork - Chris Sammacicci

Project Overview

This is a collection of artwork projects created for different bands and independent artists across various genres. The aim was to create visually striking, genre-appropriate artwork that works seamlessly across CD packaging, posters, and digital assets. Each project focused on developing a coherent visual identity that authentically represents the artist's sound and personality while meeting the technical demands of both print production and digital distribution.

My Role & Responsibilities

Art direction and visual concept development
Photography selection, retouching and compositing
Layout design for CD covers, back covers, spines and inserts
Preparing print-ready files (bleed, crop marks, colour profiles)
Creating social and digital assets for online promotion

Objectives

Create artwork that reflects each band's sound, energy and identity
Ensure designs work in tiny thumbnail form for streaming platforms and also hold up in physical print
Deliver cohesive visual systems that extend across all promotional materials

Challenges

Working with varying levels of source imagery quality
Adapting concepts to different formats (square covers, landscape banners, vertical posters) while keeping a consistent look
Ensuring technical print requirements were met across different printers

Process

1. Discovery & Listening

The process began by immersing myself in the music—listening to tracks, discussing influences with the band, and defining the mood and visual references. This discovery phase helped establish a shared vision and ensured the artwork would authentically represent the artist's sound and message.

2. Visual Exploration

With a clear direction established, I gathered visual references, sketched initial concepts, and experimented with typography and imagery directions. This exploration phase involved testing different aesthetic approaches—from gritty and raw to polished and contemporary—to find the right visual language for each project.

3. Artwork Design & Iteration

Using Photoshop and Illustrator, I created cover concepts exploring different crops, textures, colour treatments, and typographic layouts. Multiple rounds of feedback with the artists helped refine the designs, ensuring they resonated emotionally while maintaining technical quality and brand consistency across all touchpoints.

4. Final Artwork & Production

The final stage involved preparing layers and exports for both print and digital use. I carefully checked bleed, ensured proper CMYK and RGB colour profiles, verified resolution requirements, and provided clearly named, production-ready files to duplication houses and the bands. This attention to technical detail ensured smooth production with no costly reprints.

Deliverables

CD front cover artwork
Back cover and spine layouts
Booklet / insert pages (lyrics, credits, band photos)
Promotional posters and social media graphics
Streaming / digital artwork (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
Web banners and show announcement graphics

Results & Impact

The artwork successfully captured each band's unique identity, with artists frequently commenting that the visuals "looked like their sound." The designs were used consistently across merchandise, posters, and social channels, helping bands present a more professional and cohesive visual identity when promoting shows, releasing albums, or pitching to venues and festivals.

All designs reproduced cleanly in both print and digital formats, with no production issues or costly reprints. The versatile artwork systems adapted seamlessly across different aspect ratios and platforms—from Instagram posts to festival banners—maintaining visual impact and brand recognition at every scale.

Gallery / Visual Highlights

Album cover

EP sleeve

CD Promotional Artwork