Jazz. Visual Culture.

Blue Note Covers:

The blue note covers show some interesting jazz related graphic design. It aims to capture that freedom with simple methods of breaking down rigid Swiss modern typography and crashing it together with illustrative elements. Certain examples could be seen as a mash of modernism and post-modernist aesthetics.

Bluenote Records History.

 Art Deco:

Art deco was the artistic movement around when looking at jazz in context.


Wiki - Art Deco.

In it's visual form it was a progression from the curves and organic forms found in 'art nouveau' to linear symmetry and straight edges. When first emerging in the 1920's it was seen as modern and innovative and reflected a return to money and glamour after the dust had settled from the first world war. It's influence can be seen in movements such as pop art and it's aztec influenced shapes are starting to re-emerge in contemporary fashion and design.

Return to Art Deco stlyes in Fashion.
  

The art deco aesthetic is reflected in the Jazz cover designs of the time. They used vibrant colours and geometric shapes but with a fluidity about them so they don't feel too rigid. It's like they are re-shaping, cutting and pulling apart the old to create something new.

Personal Thoughts:

The aesthetics of Jazz are pretty much what I had in mind. These kind of images were scattered around my house growing up and it feels very familiar to me. The style also transitions nicely into the type of publication I had outlined in my initial thoughts.