Band Research: Four Tet Print Designs

I previously analysed Four Tet's music videos and I will now do the same for his print designs- album cover, posters and adverts.

Above is the latest Four Tet album design There Is Love In You (2010). Interestingly, the front of the album cover doesn't contain the album name or title of the artist. This would not be something I would use on my design as the artist we are designing for is up and coming, and promotion of his name is important. However, the individuality of this design and the rising popularity of Four Tet means that this cover is memorable as a Four Tet album. A black background in punctured by many round circles each with a different image within- a mixture of abstract forms and colour, flowers and nature.



Above is the Magazine advert for Four Tet's 2010 tour. The theme of the album cover has been carried over to the advert and is providing the background image. The Artist name has been included this time probably because some one flicking through a magazine may not know or assume that this is an advert for Four Tet, where as someone buying the album would already know what the album looks like and who the artist is. The Artist name is in a simple, modern, bold text that almost looks like it has been cutout of the background and contrast well so it can be clearly read. The symbols used to communicate who the support acts are add a friendly and fun touch to the advert. The style of text used to list the tour dates is classic and simple, a feeling of sophistication had definitely been created.



This is Four Tet's first ever album DIALOGUE (1999). It contrasts with their latest album as it has and artist title and album name clearly displayed in bold, central text. In regards to colour, The album uses greyscale which gives a feeling of simplicity (much like their first album). The nice effect of condensation behind the text brings an interesting focal point to the design. The black circle in the middle gives the illusion of a classic LP within the case, that is being distorted by the trapped condensation.

Apologies for the small image! Above is a framed version of Four Tet's promotional advertisement for their album Everything Ecstatic (2005). As usual with Four Tet, the images of the advertisement correspond with the album. I particularly like this design for its fun use of bubblegum colours- it shows Four Tet are not afraid of looking too 'girly' and 'sweet'. However by doing this it creates an extremely fun looking advert that is bound to catch peoples attention.

I can conclude from my research into Four Tet's print designs that there is no set style for an electronic artist, the key is to experiment with doing something different and make it interesting in a subtle way or an obvious way. Images of nature feature heavily across their designs as a whole as do fun colours and computer aided designs.