The premise for Christophe Gowans’ project, The Record Books, is a simple one, “If best-selling albums had been books instead…”
Gowans, a graphic designer and art director by trade, transforms well-known albums into imaginary book designs.
In many ways contemporary book design, especially cover design, can trace its roots to the graphic design of album covers from the 1960’s and 70’s, though one might not be propelled to buy an album by its cover as they would a book, the design of an album cover was an essential and integral part of the offering.
There are over 100 examples in Gowans’ Flickr stream.
There are also two sets of postcards based on the designs available and select designs are also available as giclée prints
Pretty cool stuff!