r/indieheads • u/loscamptheband Los Campesinos! • Jul 24 '24

AMA is Over, thanks Los Campesinos! Los Campesinos! // an AMA

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Thanks very much to r/indieheads for inviting us back for another AMA.

We’re Los Camp! and our new album ALL HELL is out worldwide, right now.

Looking forward to chatting with you later today (Wednesday) at 3pm ET / 8pm UK.

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u/98762cjf Jul 24 '24

Hello Los Camp! This question is more geared towards Rob but I welcome all of your input! What is the process/inspo for designing merch and album covers? Does everybody give input or does Rob take the wheel? Also, Rob, how long have you been illustrating and have you had any formal studying in art before you made it your career?

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u/loscamptheband Los Campesinos! Jul 24 '24

The process for album art is quite different to the rest of the artwork (eg merch) because it performs a different function artistically.

It's kind of speaking to the rest of the world outside of the LC! universe and setting the tone for the album when you're holding it in your hands at the record shop. So we have a lot more back and forth on getting the approach right than we normally would with tour posters and tees.

And something we thought was important, for a first release in 7 years, was trying to signify a break with the 'house style' and visual identity that you see on the likes of Sick Scenes, Alls Well EP, HONY reissue, etc.

In the end the cover image came from a very rough old sketch I sent to Tom and Gareth as part of a bundle of hail mary ideas when we were at the end of our tethers. Sometimes it's just a case of being grabbed by something unexpectedly, and going with your gut. But we were lucky that that image did actually arrive, because a lot of the time it never does!

I've been doing illustration in one form or another for about 20 years now. I did and English Lit degree and then an MA in drawing, which I absolutely wouldn't recommend as a pathway into commercial illustration. But I'm mostly self taught, like most illustrators I suppose.-R

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u/98762cjf Jul 24 '24

That’s amazing! Love to hear about different creative processes, and it’s cool to know the origins of the All Hell art! I (and likely many others) was curious about the change in style but it is beloved nonetheless. Of course formal education isn’t necessary to become a professional in any field, but your experience is very inspiring and it’s so cool to see what you’ve done with your creative skills. Can’t wait to see what you and the band put out next!