Design for Music
I can deliver compelling and eye-catching designs for your recording artists and record labels.
I draw on my experience as an Art Director at Demon Records, where I crafted iconic album sleeves for artists like Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe. I have also designed many reissue albums for many artists across different genres.
I specialise in vinyl and CD covers, advertisements, and branding, and I have successfully collaborated with artists, management, and publications to bring creative visions to life.
My freelance work with top labels like Warner Bros. and WEA Records further demonstrates my ability to create memorable and impactful designs.
When I design for music, I also draw on a career in print media (The Times newspaper), with private sector clients in different sectors and education (at diploma and degree level). Finding the best visual ideas and graphic solutions is what drives me.
email: kragedesign@gmail.com
Elvis Costello - 2 1/2 Years Box Set (Demon Records) The 2 1/2 Years Box Set repackages Elvis Costello’s first three albums—My Aim Is True (1977), This Year's Model (1978), and Armed Forces (1979)—alongside a live concert from El Mocambo. The set is housed in a die-cut stencil box and includes a booklet featuring photos and album graphics.
ELVIS COSTELLO
2 1/2 YEARS BOX SET
Demon Records
Elvis Costello - Mighty Like a Rose (Warner Bros. Records) Mighty Like a Rose (1991) is Costello’s 13th studio album, known for its lush production and intricate arrangements. It features singles like "The Other Side of Summer" and "So Like Candy," co-written with Paul McCartney.
ELVIS COSTELLO
MIGHTY LIKE A ROSE
Warner Bros. Records
Elvis Costello - Brutal Youth (Warner Bros. Records) Brutal Youth (1994) marked Costello's reunion with The Attractions. The cover features a childhood photo of Costello, accompanied by hand-scratched type.
ELVIS COSTELLO
BRUTAL YOUTH
Warner Bros. Records
Nick Lowe - Party of One (Warner Bros. Records) Party of One (1990) by Nick Lowe is characterised by catchy melodies and sharp lyrics, with standout tracks like "All Men Are Liars" and "What’s Shakin' on the Hill?"
NICK LOWE
PARTY OF ONE
Warner Bros. Records
Nick Lowe - All Men Are Liars (Warner Bros. Records) "All Men Are Liars" from Nick Lowe's Party of One (1990) is known for its humour and memorable melodies. The cover illustrate the line: “Hey girls, bring rusty pliers and pull this tooth.. All men are liars and that’s the truth.”
NICK LOWE
ALL MEN ARE LIARS
Warner Bros. Records
Elvis Costello - 2 1/2 Years Booklet (Demon Records) The 2 1/2 Years booklet, included in the Demon Records box set, offers in-depth visual background on Costello’s first three albums, featuring photos and designs influenced by Barney Bubbles.
ELVIS COSTELLO
2 1/2 YEARS BOOKLET
Demon Records
Elvis Costello - Sulky Girl (Warner Bros. Records) "Sulky Girl," the first single from Costello’s Brutal Youth (1994), became his highest-charting UK single in eleven years, reflecting his return to a more aggressive musical style.
SULKY GIRL
Warner Bros. Records
Elvis Costello - Veronica (Warner Bros. Records) Released in 1989, "Veronica," co-written by Costello and Paul McCartney, is one of Costello's most successful singles. It blends an upbeat melody with poignant lyrics about his grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s. The cover type is disjointed, creating the impression of fading to black.
ELVIS COSTELLO
VERONICA
Warner Bros. Records
Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Warts 'N' Audience (Demon Records) Warts 'N' Audience (1990) is a live album featuring photos by David Corio, which reprises the handwritten type style from Ian Dury’s first album cover.
IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS
WARTS ‘N’ AUDIENCE
Demon Records
Paul Carrack - Groove Approved (Chrysalis Records) Groove Approved (1989) by Paul Carrack, known for his work with Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics, includes hits like "I Live by the Groove."
PAUL CARRACK
GROOVE APPROVED
Chrysalis Records
Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (Demon Records) This 1992 reissue of Ian Dury's iconic 1977 single "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" includes other defining hits and misses, capturing the rebellious spirit and sharp wit of the era.
IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS
SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL
Demon Records
Elvis Costello - So Like Candy (Warner Bros. Records) "So Like Candy," from Costello’s Mighty Like a Rose (1991), co-written with Paul McCartney, offers a melancholic take on lost love, blending Costello’s lyrical depth with McCartney’s melodic influence.
ELVIS COSTELLO
SO LIKE CANDY
Warner Bros. Records
John Hiatt - Bring the Family (Demon Records) Bring the Family (1987) is one of John Hiatt’s most acclaimed albums, blending rock, country, and blues, with contributions from Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, and Jim Keltner.
JOHN HIATT
BRING THE FAMILY
Demon Records
Rockpile - Seconds of Pleasure (Demon Records) Seconds of Pleasure (1980), re-issue of the only studio album by Rockpile, features Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. The album’s energetic rock sound, highlighted by the hit "Teacher Teacher," is a landmark in power pop.
ROCKPILE
SECONDS OF PLEASURE
Demon Records
The Beat Farmers - Glad 'N' Greasy (Demon Records) Glad 'N' Greasy (1985) by The Beat Farmers captures their blend of rock, country, and punk, making it a high-energy favourite among alternative country fans.
THE BEAT FARMERS
GLAD ‘N’ GREASY
Demon Records
Mary Coughlan - Love for Sale (Demon Records) Love for Sale (1990) by Mary Coughlan is an album of emotive jazz and blues interpretations, showcasing her soulful voice and deep emotional conveyance.
MARY COUGHLAN
LOVE FOR SALE
Demon Records
The Damned - Not the Captain's Birthday Party? (Demon Records) Not the Captain's Birthday Party? (1986) is a live album by The Damned, capturing the chaotic, energetic performances that made them pioneers in the punk scene.
THE DAMNED
NOT THE CAPTAIN’S
BIRTHDAY PARTY?
Demon Records
Demon Records - Label Re-Brand Demon Records was founded in 1980 by Andrew Lauder and Jake Riviera, former United Artists executives and founders of Stiff, Radar, and F-Beat Records. Initially focused on the British underground scene, the label rebranded in the early 1990s to specialize in reissues and special editions of iconic albums.
DEMON RECORDS
LABEL RE-BRAND
Demon Records
Suicide - Cheree (Demon Records) "Cheree," originally released in 1978 by the electronic band Suicide, was reissued by Demon Records. Known for its minimalist sound and dark themes, the track has had a lasting impact on electronic and industrial music.
SUICIDE
CHEREE
Demon Records
Mark Eitzel - Songs of Love (Demon Records) Songs of Love (1991) by Mark Eitzel, lead singer of American Music Club, features introspective lyrics and acoustic arrangements, highlighting Eitzel’s emotional depth.
MARK EITZEL
SONGS OF LOVE
Demon Records
Charlie Rich - I’ll Shed No Tears (HI Records) I’ll Shed No Tears is a 1990s compilation showcasing Charlie Rich’s blend of country, jazz, and blues, highlighting his versatility and smooth, soulful voice.
CHARLIE RICH
I’LL SHED NO TEARS
HI Records
Al Casey - Jivin’ Around (Ace Records) Jivin’ Around (1991) is a compilation of instrumental rock tracks by guitarist Al Casey, blending elements of rock, blues, and jazz.
AL CASY
JIVIN’ AROUND
Ace Records
Buddy Johnson - Walk ‘Em (Ace Records) Walk ‘Em (1991) by Buddy Johnson is a compilation that showcases the 1940s jazz and R&B bandleader’s smooth, sophisticated style.
BUDDY JOHNSON
WALK ‘EM
Ace Records
Various Artists - Chess Uptown Soul (Kent Records) Chess Uptown Soul (1990) is a compilation of lesser-known soul tracks from Chess Records, offering a deep dive into Chicago's rich soul history.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
CHESS UPTOWN SOUL
Kent Records
Smokey Hogg - Deep Ellum Rambler (Ace Records) Deep Ellum Rambler (1990) is a compilation of Smokey Hogg’s Texas blues, featuring raw vocals and simple, powerful guitar work.
SMOKEY HOGG
DEEP ELLUM RAMBLER
Ace Records
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Legendary A&M Sessions (Edsel Records) Legendary A&M Sessions (1984) compiles early tracks from Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, showcasing their avant-garde blues-rock that influenced experimental music.
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND
LEGENDARY A&M SESSIONS
Edsel Records
Joe Simon - Mr. Shout (Ace Records) Mr. Shout (1990) by Joe Simon is a compilation of soulful tracks reflecting his significant contributions to the soul and R&B genres.
JOE SIMON
MR SHOUT
Ace Records
Ace Cannon - Tuff! (Ace Records) Tuff! (1991) by Ace Cannon is a collection of instrumental tracks across rock, blues, and country, showcasing his versatile saxophone style.
ACE CANNON
TUFF!
Ace Records
Syl Johnson
STUCK IN CHICAGO
Hi Records
Various Artists - Swans Soul Sides (Kent Records) Swans Soul Sides (1990) is a soul compilation from the Swans label, featuring both rare and classic tracks, highlighting its impact on soul music.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
SWANS SOUL SIDES
Kent Records
Various Artists - Stewed Moonbeams in Wavy Gravy (Edsel Records) Stewed Moonbeams in Wavy Gravy (1989) is a UK collection of Black rock 'n' roll and R&B from the Okeh label, featuring acts like Hurricane Harry, Dave "Baby" Cortez, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
STEWED MOONBEAMS IN WAVY GRAVY
Edsel Records
The Pirates - A Fistful of Dubloons (Edsel Records) A Fistful of Dubloons (1990) by The Pirates is a high-energy rock compilation that significantly influenced the British rock scene.
THE PIRATES
A FISTFUL OF DUBLOONS
Edsel Records
Various Artists - New York Soul Serenade (Kent Records) New York Soul Serenade (1990) is a compilation of soul tracks by New York artists, highlighting the city's profound influence on the genre.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
NEW YORK SOUL SERENADE
Kent Records
Various Artists - Dootone Doo Wop Vol. 1 (Ace Records) Dootone Doo Wop Vol. 1 (1991) is a compilation of doo-wop tracks from the Dootone label, showcasing the origins and impact of doo-wop on popular music.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
DOOTONE DOO WOP VOL. 1
Ace Records
Albert King - The Best Of (Stax Records) The Best Of Albert King (1990) by Stax Records is a compilation of the blues guitarist’s greatest hits, highlighting his powerful guitar work and soulful vocals.
ALBERT KING
THE BEST OF
Stax Records
