Streaming services and design work

I’ve been designing visuals for CDs and vinyl releases for over twenty years, though less so in the past five. During that time, a clear shift has taken place: physical releases are no longer the main product for most record labels, and that inevitably affects the demand for graphic design.

While album covers are still needed for streaming platforms, the scope for larger design concepts and detailed layouts has diminished. Simple visuals can often be produced in-house, using ready-made templates and basic software — making it harder to justify hiring a designer for extensive work. As a music collector, I still strongly value physical formats, and genres like metal continue to support that culture. Thankfully, this is reflected in the quality of packaging: many recent releases still feature elaborate booklets and thoughtful design. Even if fewer designers are involved overall, the work that does get commissioned often remains meaningful.