Cover Art Guide: Adding & Annotating Lyrics
Cover Art Guide
This cover art guide will explain how to source cover art from the internet, how to add it to singles and albums, and how to create cover art annotations.
✧ Adding Cover Art
Album pages should always host every individual artwork released for that album.
Sourcing Cover Art
- Ideal size for cover art is 1000x1000.
- How to source cover art that is on Apple Music.
- How to source cover art that isn't on Apple Music.
- How to source and convert animated cover art.
Editing Cover Art
- DO NOT upscale the cover art.
- How to resize cover art if it is over 1000x1000.
- How to convert to ’JPG' or 'PNG’
Adding Cover Art
- Requires 300 IQ.
- Hosting cover art.
- How to add cover art to a single.
- How to add animated cover art.
- How to add cover art to an album.
What order to arrange cover art on an album
- Digital cover -> Click here for examples
- Physical cover(s) (if different) -> Click here for examples
- Early covers that weren't used -> Click here for examples
- Artwork included in booklet/released with the album -> Click here for examples
- Liner notes & lyrics (if included in the booklet) -> Click here for examples
- CD/Record Captures (if different from the booklet and interesting) -> Click here for examples
- Single artwork, ordered by release date -> Click here for examples
- Back cover -> Click here for examples
Note that it's important to ONLY use official cover art. Fan art is cool but belongs in the comment section instead.
Adding A Side label's and B Side label's (Record Captures)
- NEVER add these as cover art on albums.
- Only add these as single cover art if that is the only place the song is available.
- How to add these to Q&A.
- How to source Record Captures
How to fix imperfect or scratched images:
- How to rotate a record that is off center (Gimp & Photoshop).
- How to cut out a record to make picture look cleaner (Gimp).
- How to cleanup scratches on records (Paint & Photoshop).
Additionally, NEVER create a [Tracklist + Album Art] page.
-> What to do with existing [Tracklist + Album Art] pages.
✧ Annotating Cover Art
A cover art annotation is a note that explains the meaning behind an album or song's visual content.
Mastering Cover Art Annotations
Just as any other annotation in Genius, artwork annotations should follow the existing 10 Annotation Commandments. Besides that, here are a few examples of what one can and should (if possible) include in an artwork tate.
- Describe the Image -> It's always good to give a little overview of what the picture shows, especially if it's a complex and abstract illustration. Nevertheless, simply describing is never enough — give us some context.
[Click here to learn more] - Specify the Artists Involved In the Design -> Always give credits when possible. Specify who designed or photographed the image and describe how their style shows on the cover.
[Click here to learn more] - Chronicle the Creative Process -> Showcase what inspired the artist and what lead them to create that specific cover.
[Click here to learn more] - Outline Possible References -> Artists are often inspired by other works of art. It’s helpful to point out where inspiration can be detected and similarities arise.
[Click here to learn more] - Detail the Color Pallet Used -> Sometimes the colors chosen for the cover hide a deeper meaning and try to provoke a specific feeling in the viewer.
[Click here to learn more] - Mark Out Any News Surrounding the Cover -> Maybe the artwork was teased all over a city, or allegations regarding its explicit content sprouted somewhere, tell us about it.
[Click here to learn more] - Highlight Similarities & Differences Between Covers -> If there’s an alternate cover for an album, a deluxe version cover or special edition art, describe how it differs from the original.
[Click here to learn more]
Über uns
This guide explains everything you need to know about annotating and editing artwork on Genius. Building off the basics of annotating, the guide transitions into advanced practices to master the art of incredible artwork annotations!
Das Inhaltsverzeichnis:
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Just like any other annotation, feel free to suggest improvements by writing them in a comment under the annotation -> [Click Here to Learn More].
You can also propose fixes or additional information by clicking the “Edit” button at the bottom of the annotation. If you make a great proposed edit, an Editor+ may integrate it! -> [Click Here to Learn More].
These pages will help you find the best quality artwork for you by going into iTunes and getting the image for you!
Genius Graph Tools
iTunes Artwork Finder
If you’re looking for the SoundCloud artwork, make sure to check this guide by @idontreallylikemusiciloveit.
Ideally the Parental Advisory (PA) label should not be included in the artwork since the label may obstruct another element of the art. In some cases, such as the album art for DAMN., the label was included in the creation of the artwork and should be untouched.
- 1.About Genius
- 4.Genius FAQ
- 11.Cover Art Guide: Adding & Annotating
- 21.Users’ Languages
- 31.Tags - Non-Music
- 35.How to Annotate