2 cover stories in our archive
Behind the Covers' archive includes 2 album covers documented under the "architectural" design theme, spanning the 1990s, 2000s. These covers sit within the alternative, indie, rock, hip-hop tradition and feature work by Pavement, Jay-Z. Each entry below includes the cover artwork, the designers and photographers behind it, and a short story about the visual choices that defined the release.
Pavement's breakthrough album features a deceptively simple cover of weathered concrete steps that perfectly captured the band's lo-fi aesthetic. The mundane architectural photograph became an iconic symbol of 1990s indie rock minimalism.
Jay-Z's Blueprint cover features a minimalist architectural drawing that became one of hip-hop's most iconic designs. The stark blue-on-white technical diagram perfectly matched the album's title while establishing a new standard for sophisticated rap album artwork.