# data[].attributes.body
21.09.15 - An almost finished piece of Jaden that could be used on the final product

# data[].attributes.body
15.09.15 - It may be faster to redraw a group picture instead of individual photos?

# data[].attributes.body
15.09.15 - http://www.tunecore.com/blog/2012/12/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-cover-art.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
[Updated October 8, 2015]

By Jacqueline Rosokoff, Editor

In order to distribute music to digital stores, there are a few things you need: Audio files, metadata (album title, track titles, artist names, release date, etc.), and cover art. And these required components must be up to store specs.

Today we're talking cover art: getting your artwork in the appropriate format so it flies through to digital store shelves.

All About Format

In order for the stores to accept your artwork, it needs to meet several technical criteria:

-JPG or GIF
-Perfect square
-At least 1600 x 1600 pixels in size
-Best quality RGB Color Mode (this includes black and white images)
-If you're distributing your music to the Amazon On Demand store (for printing physical CDs), you need a resolution of 300 DPI.

A few weeks ago we talked about the requirements for formatting the text in an album, single, or ringtone. Well, the same applies to artwork. There are certain rules the stores have that dictate what can and cannot be included on your artwork.

Here's what you CAN'T include:

-email addresses, URLS/websites, contact info (this includes Twitter handles), pricing,
-stickers from your artwork from a scanned copy of physical CD
-something that suggests format of the release "CD, DVD, Digital Exclusive, disc"
-cut off text or images
-an image that's compressed into one corner with white space
-names of digital stores or their logos
-words that express temporality, like "new", "latest single", "limited edition" or "exclusive"

Also, this may sound like a given, but make sure the image isn't blurry or pixilated. No one, including the stores, wants to have to squint to see your art.

If you do include some of those things in the list above, the digital stores will likely reject your release, and it's tough to generate sales when your music isn't in stores!

It's really important that the text on your artwork match your artist name and album title.

Sometimes artists release a single off an upcoming album, in advance of the album release. If you do this, you just need to make sure the artwork for the single is specific to that single.

Here's what I mean:

You're distributing a single "I Can't Remember" off your upcoming album Amnesia. The artwork for your single MUST say "I Can't Remember " as the title, NOT Amnesia, even though it's a single from the upcoming release Amnesia.

Also, make sure that the artist name on the artwork matches the artist name in the release information. Adding extra artists to the cover art who aren't actually performing on the release isn't a good idea. For example, if you're covering a song by John Lennon, his name can't be on your artwork.

Your artwork can also just include the song/album title or just the artist's name-it can even have no text at all.

Whatever you do, just make sure there isn't a mismatching situation going on.

If You Have a Booklet...

Do you have a digital booklet to include with your release? iTunes accepts digital booklets, and we can attach them for you so long as they meet iTunes' specifications. Go here for all the information you may need about booklets.

Need Some Art?

Don't have your own artwork? Not to worry! We've got you covered. When you get to the 'My Artwork" step in creating your release, just click the green button that says MAKE MY ART. Then you can comb through pages of art options until you find one that speaks to you. You'll be able to add text to customize your release.

If you have any trouble while you're uploading your artwork, make sure to contact our artist support team BEFORE you finish distribution. We'll help you out and get your music on its way.

Ready to upload your artwork? Get started now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
3 Things You Need to Know About Cover Art

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Updated October 8, 2015] By Jacqueline Rosokoff, Editor In order to distribute music to digital stores, there are a few things you need: Audio files, metadata (album title, track titles, artist names, release date, etc.), and cover art. And these required components must be up to store specs.

# data[].attributes.body
15.09.15 - This is a very quick example of what I can produce and what each members face would kinda look like.

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15Once you establish a Logo then you can practically smack it on anything - T-shirts, Badges, websites you name it. Many famous bands also have an euqaly famous logo

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Using mixed media I believe might show off more the different genres and diversity the group has. Gotta have the metro in there somewhere, I see that newspaper every morning

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Incorporating the mosaic and profile ideas = Mosacis of each performer? Maybe even have them all kinda merging together?

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Everyone wanted to have their faces on the cover but I feel this might become a slightly year 2000 type of art work - quite out dated now. For everyone to still have their own injection of personality, contributing to a large collage might work and allow us to incorporate other smaller themes.

# data[].attributes.headline
Generic London Icons that I think should not be used

# data[].attributes.subject
Generic London Icons that I think should not be used

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Some icons from London have been well over used by other artists making them no longer original or creative.

- Old school London Bus (We don't ride on traditional buses so why feature one on the cover? It doesn't really relate to us, its just another tourist Icon. The cover should relate to other Londoners like us)

- London Eye / Big Ben and other Famous London Landmarks (Like the old school bus, Its not like we live near these landmarks. We probably only ever see them on trips so they cant really mean that much to us or represent our music very well)

- The Queen? (She could be used but not as a main part, only as a little extra to relate back to hierachy and politics, though using David cameron seems like a more direct icon that has messed up the youths future. The theme is London Youth, not just the city )

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15To show the London link but not too explisifcly, have a london map as the background?

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - After looking at the Grafik magazine I remembered that the album art work can also become a more physically interesting experience instead of just a pretty picture. Having a picture behinde cut out pannels creates more then 1 veiw for one picture and capturs the audiences eye more.

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - The last years used more of a logo to represent their group. I plan to discuss if logo or letter form is more important. Personally I prefer letter form and believe it is more in trend right now.

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Today I found an interesting art and design magazine in the college library. I found a few artists and ideas that I shall look more into.

# data[].attributes.body
14.09.15 - Dark background with a colourful side profile of each member. Will make for some cool badges / prints?