OUGD603 - 27 Club - 'Killer' Miller - Colour Research

Following the research looking at various album covers which shared similarities to Jacob Miller (through music, time of music and other) it became clear that the correct colours had to be chosen to represent Miller.

Considering the aim of the Jacob Miller artwork is to produce a piece which celebrates a highpoint of his life and represent who he was through colour, typography, and illustration. Wanting to keep the identity of Miller somewhat obscured on the artwork, it is important to use the correct graphics to represent him.

Having identified colours which will help to represent Miller through the research undertaken, I have looked deeper at the colours which will be used.

Looking at colours also which relate to Miller's heritage, for example below the Jamaican flag colours, which are also the colours used in many of the album covers researched into.

"Rastafarians often make use of the colours red, black, green, and gold/yellow. Red, gold/yellow, and green were used in the Ethiopian flag"

Yellow -

The colour can be used on the type to create a contrast to the base of black or white (though on the later it will require another colour to make sure the yellow remains visual. Here are three variations of yellow which can be used, bold and vibrant yellows similar to the yellow used on the Jamaican flag, this colour also promotes positivity.

Red -

The bright red is inspired by the bright reds which can be seen on the pre-existing Miller album and single cover artworks which have been researched, as well as on the other researched album covers looked at. The red can be blended with the yellow, creating a nice gradient together, it can also be mixed with the green too, the colours are seen in the Rastafarian flag and many reggae music cover artwork.

Red is a colour which is highly related to the Rastafarian culture of which Miller was a Part of. It has to be vibrant and brash to contrast the yellows and black, it will be a bold visual aid of the artwork.

Green - 

The green is the top colour of the Rastafarian and the Ethiopian flag, it contrasts the red and yellows within the album arts researched, it acts as a good block between the bright colours and the black background.

Using all these colours I need to find a correct balance where they all work together and get the idea of Millers Rastafarian roots. This could be through typography and through gradients of the three on an image.