OK Computer

Typography, Album Design, Poster, Book Design, Animation
Full Version of Mini Book
Photography and Design by
Shengjie Wu
A vinyl album cover design for the Rock band, Radiohead. The design was inspired by strong, deep, and multiple emotions expressed by Radiohead’s album OK Computer. It is collectively understood as a commentary on the overpowering sense of alienation that results from living in an increasingly self-indulgent and technologically dependent society.
LP Cover Design

Isolation, alienation, anti-capitalism, and political corruption are all themes that Radiohead raises in OK Computer to predict what the 21st century would look like. I use the acid green color to visualize the emotional detachment.

CD Design

The CD design uses the same visual system as the LP. Because the CD contains a mini-book about the album introduction and song lyrics, layers of electronic texture are added to the CD graphic design to visually draw the audience into the content and atmosphere of the mini-book and music.

Mini Book

The book’s cover design is the same as that of the CD, using the same visual system and swirling visuals to bring the audience into the content. 

On the inside of the book, I aligned the most emotional sentences to the right and the others to the left, using the same fluid texture background as the cover, but using lighter colors to make the text legible. The typography of Chapter 7 is very different because, unlike other songs, the performance of Song 7 is more like reading, which creates a different visual experience from the other songs in terms of typography.

Graphic Elements

The background visual provides an aggressive, sharp feel while the water-like shape also visualizes the rhythm of the album’s story while also having a certain smoothness.

Posters

The album’s rhythms range from very aggressive to relatively gentle and quiet, reaching a climax towards the end of the album when the most emotional and experimental rhythms and music begin to compete. Therefore, I used different background materials and colors to visually tell the mood and message of the album in the poster series. To maintain consistency, each poster uses a fluid textured background to varying degrees, as well as a basically consistent logotype.

Animation

Animation provides viewers with another dimension of visual experience. Flowing animation can visually express different emotions through changes in different rhythms and speeds.

Promotional Items

All promotional items use materials graphics or brand logo to keep the brand identity consistent.