Choose one of the 8 themes which relate to module sessions - research, organise, write and present an academic essay that addresses the key points.
Essay Format
Deadline - Friday 9th May, 4pm
- Semiotics of Fashion
- Advertising
- Sequential Illustration
- Gender & Identity
- Subcultures
- Gender & Style Magazines
- Design Ethics
- New Media & Identity
Essay Format
- 2000 words - includes all quotations/citations in main body of essay - 10% leeway
- Include front sheet on essay with essay question/title, name & date, and programme studied
- Pages should be numbered
- 12pt text > justified on both sides > double spaced
- Long quotations not incorporated into the main body of text must be single spaced and indented
- If appropriate include selected images/examples, either in the body of the essay or within the appendices
- All sources, quotations, images need to be clearly and consistently referenced using the Harvard system of referencing
- Include a full bibliography.
Deadline - Friday 9th May, 4pm
Chosen Topic - Subcultures
Essay Question
How do album cover typography and style reflect a subculture's identity and rebellion against mainstream norms?
Subcultures are dynamic social entities that reflect the complexity and diversity of human experience. They allow individuals to forge identities that may be at odds with mainstream culture, providing a space for creativity, expression, and community.
Possible Album Covers to include:
How do album cover typography and style reflect a subculture's identity and rebellion against mainstream norms?
Subcultures are dynamic social entities that reflect the complexity and diversity of human experience. They allow individuals to forge identities that may be at odds with mainstream culture, providing a space for creativity, expression, and community.
Possible Album Covers to include:
The Beatles - Abbey Road, 1969
Features the famous image of the band crossing the street outside Abbey Road Studios. This cover is often cited as one of the most recognizable in music history |
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973
Known for its simple yet striking prism design, this cover symbolizes the band's exploration of complex themes like mental health and the passage of time |
Nirvana - Nevermind, 1991
The cover features a baby swimming towards a dollar bill on a fishhook, representing the themes of innocence and capitalism in the grunge movement |
David Bowie - Aladdin Sane, 1973
This cover showcases Bowie’s iconic lightning bolt makeup, symbolizing his alter ego and the glam rock era |
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, 1977
The cover features a simple yet elegant design, reflecting the personal and emotional turmoil that influenced the album's creation |
Radiohead - OK Computer, 1997
The abstract and surreal design reflects the album's themes of alienation and technology, making it a defining cover of the 90s |
Some more recent examples:
Florence and the Machine - Lungs, 2009
The artwork captures the album's themes of love, loss, and emotional intensity, setting the tone for the powerful music within |
Hozier - Unreal Unearth, 2023
The cover art is rich with symbolism and vibrant colors, representing the themes of love and existential reflection found in Hozier's music |
Paramore - This is Why, 2023
The cover art is bold and graphic, reflecting the band's evolution while maintaining their signature style |
Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For?, 2023
The cover art is minimalist yet poignant, capturing the introspective themes of the song and Billie’s signature aesthetic |
Essay Structure
For my essay I have decided to use the albums 'Rumours' and 'Lungs' by Fleetwood Mac and Florence and the Machine
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Introduction
The topic of album cover typography and style as reflections of subcultural identity and rebellion. Also what subcultures are
Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
Analyze the album cover's typography, style, and imagery, highlighting its subtle rebellion against mainstream norms and its reflection of a specific subculture's values
Florence and The Machine's Lungs
Analyze the album cover's typography, style, and imagery, emphasizing its bold and raw aesthetic, its rejection of polished pop aesthetics, and its connection to a subculture that values authenticity and emotional intensity
Comparison and Contrast
Compare and contrast the two album covers, highlighting the differences in their visual approaches and the contrasting subcultural identities they represent
Conclusion
Summarize the key arguments, restating the significance of album cover design in expressing subcultural identity and rebellion
The topic of album cover typography and style as reflections of subcultural identity and rebellion. Also what subcultures are
Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
Analyze the album cover's typography, style, and imagery, highlighting its subtle rebellion against mainstream norms and its reflection of a specific subculture's values
Florence and The Machine's Lungs
Analyze the album cover's typography, style, and imagery, emphasizing its bold and raw aesthetic, its rejection of polished pop aesthetics, and its connection to a subculture that values authenticity and emotional intensity
Comparison and Contrast
Compare and contrast the two album covers, highlighting the differences in their visual approaches and the contrasting subcultural identities they represent
Conclusion
Summarize the key arguments, restating the significance of album cover design in expressing subcultural identity and rebellion
References
Caulfield, K. (2022) Fleetwood Mac Rumours. Billboard Media LLC.
Charles, V. and Carl, K.H. (2012) Gothic art. 1st ed. New York: Parkstone International.
Clarke, P. (1983) “A magic science”: rock music as a recording art. Popular music.
Comer, D.R. and Holbrook, R.L. (2012) Getting Behind the Scenes of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours: Using a Documentary on the Making of a Music Album to Learn About Task Groups. Journal of management education.
Healey, K. and Fraser, L. (2017) A common darkness: Style and spirituality in Goth subculture. Journal of popular music studies
Hebdige, D. (1979) Subculture : the meaning of style. London: Methuen.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (1999) INDIE: THE INSTITUTIONAL POLITICS AND AESTHETICS OF A POPULAR MUSIC GENRE. London: Cultural Studies.
Hirshey, G. and Bozza, A. (1997) The seventies. Rolling Stone.
Howell, G., Bartleet, B.L. and Davidson, J. (2024) Building social connection and inclusion through rock music in the Western Balkans: Fostering the art of small changes. Research studies in music education.
Marx, W.D. (2025) FROM THE MARGINS TO THE MALL The Lifcycle of Subcultures. Altadena: Millennium Press
Pushkin, M. (2017) FEMINIST READING OF GOTHIC SUBCULTURE: EMPOWERMENT, LIBERATION, REAPPROPRIATION. Journal of World of Turks.
Schoenfeld, N. (2015) FLORENCE and the MACHINE. Projection, Lights & Staging News.
Smirke, R. (2011) Dog days are (absolutely) over: on the heels of her successful lungs, and a series of dates opening for U2, Florence Welch-aka Florence the machine-is back with a new universal republic album and she’s ready to blow the house down. Billboard Media LLC.
Roberts, D. (2012) From the cultural contradictions of capitalism to the creative economy: Reflections on the new spirit of art and capitalism, Thesis eleven, 110(1), pp. 83–97
List of Figures
Worthington, H. (1976) Rumours. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumours_(album) (Accessed: 3 May 2025)
Beard, T. (2009) Lungs. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungs_(album) (Accessed: 3 May 2025)
Caulfield, K. (2022) Fleetwood Mac Rumours. Billboard Media LLC.
Charles, V. and Carl, K.H. (2012) Gothic art. 1st ed. New York: Parkstone International.
Clarke, P. (1983) “A magic science”: rock music as a recording art. Popular music.
Comer, D.R. and Holbrook, R.L. (2012) Getting Behind the Scenes of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours: Using a Documentary on the Making of a Music Album to Learn About Task Groups. Journal of management education.
Healey, K. and Fraser, L. (2017) A common darkness: Style and spirituality in Goth subculture. Journal of popular music studies
Hebdige, D. (1979) Subculture : the meaning of style. London: Methuen.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (1999) INDIE: THE INSTITUTIONAL POLITICS AND AESTHETICS OF A POPULAR MUSIC GENRE. London: Cultural Studies.
Hirshey, G. and Bozza, A. (1997) The seventies. Rolling Stone.
Howell, G., Bartleet, B.L. and Davidson, J. (2024) Building social connection and inclusion through rock music in the Western Balkans: Fostering the art of small changes. Research studies in music education.
Marx, W.D. (2025) FROM THE MARGINS TO THE MALL The Lifcycle of Subcultures. Altadena: Millennium Press
Pushkin, M. (2017) FEMINIST READING OF GOTHIC SUBCULTURE: EMPOWERMENT, LIBERATION, REAPPROPRIATION. Journal of World of Turks.
Schoenfeld, N. (2015) FLORENCE and the MACHINE. Projection, Lights & Staging News.
Smirke, R. (2011) Dog days are (absolutely) over: on the heels of her successful lungs, and a series of dates opening for U2, Florence Welch-aka Florence the machine-is back with a new universal republic album and she’s ready to blow the house down. Billboard Media LLC.
Roberts, D. (2012) From the cultural contradictions of capitalism to the creative economy: Reflections on the new spirit of art and capitalism, Thesis eleven, 110(1), pp. 83–97
List of Figures
Worthington, H. (1976) Rumours. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumours_(album) (Accessed: 3 May 2025)
Beard, T. (2009) Lungs. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungs_(album) (Accessed: 3 May 2025)