Our panel started with the question “Is the music industry really dead?”  The 5 speakers ranging from photographer, art director, musician, label owner and graphic designer would argue most certainly not.  In fact, never has there been a more exciting time in the music industry from a creative perspective.  What has died, is the monopoly that the major record labels used to have over all design elements of a bands image.  Out of the woodwork have emerged small independent firms with more artistic flair, and a better relationship with their clients and they are flourishing.

To engage a consumer to purchase anything to do with their favorite band as opposed to easily downloading it the band needs a cohesive idea, concept and quality product to put out.  Gone are the days of simple front and back panel CD covers, consumers now are looking for an entire experience to engage with from deluxe album packaging, great looking t-shirts, collectible posters, vinyls, and interactive web sites all with quality art.  Successful packaging has evolved beyond the simple container.   Basically if you can handcraft a quality product, and put a  great story into it, people will pay up for the merchandise and the album.  Strong ideas create longevity.

One panel guest spoke nostalgically about the smell of a freshly opened CD and how it smells like Fritos!  Hope that is a good thing!