Storm Thorgerson

Callum McDonough

The Brief

• Before the music was released the designer (Storm Thorgerson) would listen

to the song and ask the band/artist if they had any ideas or wanted to have

any input into the idea and all these ideas would make the brief.

Roughs

• This is when Thorgerson would meet once again with the band/artist to try

and focus on one main theme or idea. Discussions would take place and then

what everyone sees as the better ideas are further illustrated and worked on

and these are called ‘The roughs’.

Tests

• This comes after the idea is agreed upon and the budget is agreed. A

prototype or ‘test’ is created so that it is clear that the idea will work.

Sometimes scale models would be used and if successful they would proceed

with the idea.

Shoots

• A location is discussed and researched for a long time before they go on to

the location and start to take, sometimes hundreds of photographs to ensure

they get the right shot. The photos are taken in various types of weather and

light. If the shoot is big sometimes they would have volunteers to help.

Editing

• This is the stage where Thorgerson

would pick out the best photos and

selects the one that he thinks is the

best one that was taken at the shoot.

This process can take a while if a lot

of photos were taken.

Artwork

• This is basically the finishing touches that Thorgerson would put onto the

illustrations, this would also involve computer editing. When completely

happy with everything he would hand over the final product.