vaughan
Oliver
The Vaughan Oliver Album Cover Competition
Summary
While studying at Northumbria University I was selected as a top five finalist in the Vaughan Oliver Design Competition, a tribute to the iconic album cover designer. I entered a conceptual cover for Soft Cell’s new album Happiness Not Included. I focused on emotional storytelling through design. The experience culminated in an interview with Lee Widdows, Vaughan Oliver’s wife and creative partner, which was amazing!
I started at the library exploring iconic album covers across decades. I analysed the creative decisions behind some of the legendary designs, how they pushed boundaries, embraced experimentation, and told stories visually. I was especially drawn to how bold and unconventional many of these covers were. Something I wanted to reflect in my own work.
Next, I focused on the lyrics in the songs. I printed them out and listened to the album repeatedly. I highlighted phrases that stood out. I explored the themes behind each song.
Concept Development
With those insights I began brainstorming visual ideas that captured the emotional weight of the album. My focus was on translating feelings of loss and longing into something tangible, something you could feel just by looking at the cover.
