FROM BIRDWATCH:
“Excited to announce our album cover for our new record OLD SCIENCE. This design was created by the amazing Derek Ballard. Along with the artwork he gave a detailed explanation of the design. The meanings he attached to this idea, and the thoughtfulness he put into it mean the world to us. Better than anything we could have hoped for. Here is his description for his work. Thank you to everyone for the support. Album out Friday.”
FROM DEREK BALLARD, VAD Graphic Design Alumnus:
“Everything in the gold overlay is represented in an art deco style, with confident lines, clean type, and strong iconography. I created a symbol based on the sextant, a dynamic tool used by explorers, and a personal point of interest. Travelers, sailors and explorers found an invaluable advantage through celestial navigation. Looking to the stars with the use of reflections, angles and the horizon replaced their dependency on the fickle method of dead-reckoning and gave them a better understanding of their current position and desired destination. I feel the functionality of this ancient tool (looking forward through use of reflection) can be strikingly emblematic to the emotional themes woven throughout the album.
The background image is a hand, subtly illustrated. At first glance, it looks as though the fingers have dipped into the water below, implying purification. However, on closer inspection, it’s clear that each fingertip has been lacerated for the purpose of bloodletting – and the pool below is the consequence of which. This OLD SCIENCE was chosen as a poignant way to suggest pain, tribulation, and release. It connects with the physical discomfort most musicians feel after spilling their souls into the writing of music, playing until their fingers erupt. It’s my hope that this synthesis of imagery will visually echo the themes of hurt, reconciliation, and growth revealed through the audible and lyrical content of this album.”
CONGRATULATIONS DEREK!
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