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Interview with Mattias Norén - Mattias Norén
Mattias Norén is known for his artwork designs for Evergrey, Lost Horizon, Star One and many other bands. He started his own company ProgArt Media recently, so David decided to send him some questions. You'll see some examples of his work through the interview.
Can you tell me what the process is like from inception to completion of an album cover/or band logo?
The first important step it to communicate with the client. What's his or her ideas?
Sometimes I get specific instructions. Sometimes I get nothing at all. Most of the time it is somewhere in between. After that I use to do some very quick sketches before I start to work in the computer. Finding or taking some good photos for the cover is a big part of the project. After I have worked some on the first ideas I show the result to the client and he or she tells me if it's something worth continue working on or if I should try an other direction. After we have found the right direction I work on the image until I feel ready with the piece. Then I show it again and sometimes it's finished there, sometimes I must go back and change things that the client isn't happy with.
How long have you been doing this kind of graphic artist work?
I did my first official cover in 1999, but I had created images just for the fun of it long before that.
How/why did you get into doing album cover art and logos for bands?
I have always been interested in music but I have had more talent with a pen or a brush than an instrument. So naturally it was a dream to see my art on a real CD, especially if it was a CD I liked.
What kind of music do you like? Name some favourite bands that you like old and new.
Mostly I listen to progressive rock and metal. Some favourite bands are:
Pain of Salvation, Saga, Porcupine Tree, Wolverine, Journey, Opeth, Katatonia, Ayreon, IQ, Arena, Evergrey, Heaven's Cry, Into Eternity, Andromeda, Genesis, Rush and Marillion.
How long does it usually take to get an album cover done?
It's very different. From a few hours to a full week, depending on the amount of details and if you need to arrange some photo shoots or not.
Who do you like in the album cover art world, who has inspired you, if anyone?
Hugh Syme, Storm Thorgerson, Travis Smith and Rodney Matthews are artists that I like very much, but there are more, like Roger Dean, Thomas Ewerhard, Niklas Sundin and Stephanie Law.
How important do you think it is that the album art/logo reflect the music of the artist? Is it hard to achieve that reflectivity?
I would say it is pretty important. On the other hand some artists want to try new things. It's not that often metal bands have white covers, but it can work really well. I think it's more important for new unknown bands to "follow the rules". In that way they can more easily be found in the stores by potential fans. If you already have a name and a fan base you are allowed to experiment more.
Name some favorite gear that you like, that you use to achieve your artwork with be it software,cameras, whatever.
I work almost entirely in Adobe's Creative Suite. Photoshop I have a digital drawing board which is very useful. Sometimes I draw things and paint textures in water color and scan them.
I have a digital camera that I carry with me most of the time and I'm planning on getting a digital SLR camera really soon.
Is it important to the art that you meet the people in the bands you work for? I know it may not always be possible but do you find it makes much of a difference if you're able to get a feel of the people in the bands, or the person involved in the artwork from the band?
No, it's not important at all. It's more important for me to hear the music.
It's not very often I meet my clients before the work on the cover starts. I work with bands from Japan, Canada, Portugal, Mexico etc etc so as you can understand it's not easy to meet in person.
Do you play an instrument and if so are you in a band? If so what style?
No. I think I could probably have been a decent keyboard player. I played a lot when I was younger, but I was better at painting so that took more and more of my time. I became a good listener instead :-)
You have new web site....what prompted you to change it?
I recently started my own business with a slightly changed name and a new logo. I wanted the site to look a little bit more professional than before, and I think I succeeded. The response has amazing.
I understand that you are now doing this full time....has that been a scary change for you? How's it going so far?
Yes, it's been quite a big change. You can't pick up your pay check every month. You have the pressure to sell to get some money. On my previous job it was more like sit on your butt, do what you were told to do and wait for the clock to turn 16 so you could go home and work on the CD art. It's a much bigger responsibility now. On the other hand it's fantastic to actually make a living out of this and I will hopefully grow a lot as an artist as well. I have only just started when we are doing this interview but I have sold enough this first month to pay my bills. Let's hope it continues this way.
I really appreciate your time and love your work! Please feel free to take some space now to say anything you'd like about anything or to anyone! Take care!
Thank you. I hope more people will find my site and that the business works out well. I guess we know a year from now :-)
| You can click all pictures for a bigger version
Ayreon - The Human Equation
Image from the booklet
Ayreon - The Human Equation
Image from the booklet
Into Eternity - Buried in oblivion
Cover artwork
Unholy Ghost - Torrential reign
Image from the booklet
Platitude - Nine
Cover artwork
Sonic Debris - Velvet thorns
Cover artwork
Derek Sherinian - Black Utopia
Cover artwork
Evergrey - Recreation day
Cover artwork
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Written by David - 3/19/2004 |
This article has been shown 7610 times. Go to the complete list.
RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Matt (Anonymous) - Wednesday, January 26, 2005 | Wow, that's awesome, I had no idea he did Recreation Day's cover! That cover kicks ass.
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