The Smashing Pumpkins website has posted a wonderful interview with Frank Olinsky, the art director responsible for developing the group's album covers from 1995 through 1999. Olinsky explains his role as an art director and shares some original sketches by Billy Corgan that provided the concepts behind many of the band's covers.
Thru the Eyes of Frank Olinsky
June 12, 2009
Frank Olinsky is the art director behind the extravagant and intricate packaging that accompanied all of the Pumpkins' official releases between 1995 and 1999. From Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to the singles that supported Adore, he oversaw the creative process that led to some of the most visually engaging albums in the band's discography. He has also worked with R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Duran Duran, and Philip Glass, just to name a few, and helped co-create the chameleon-like logo and original look of MTV.
I caught up with Mr. Olinsky to talk about his time working with the Pumpkins, and just what exactly an art director is.
For more information about Frank Olinsky, check out his blog at http://frankolinsky.blogspot.com/. You will find lots of great examples of his work and cool personal stories like this:
I still can't believe I actually worked with David Bowie, Brian Eno and Philip Glass together on one project. The package design for Philip's Heroes Symphony, based on the music from the Bowie and Eno album Heroes, began as rough sketches on a napkin. (Yes, it is true that some really good ideas begin as rough sketches on napkins.)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_c.png?x-id=351855bd-e575-4b65-8ebd-a4f36553a033)
Twitter Updates