How The Perfect Dream Theater Artwork Would Be

[Sebiriver]

I'm a very watchful guy, artworks are important for me due I imagine the song just like the artwork is.
Post either a pic or an idea. Artworks are awesome!

[SeRoX]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

[Kotowboy]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

[hefdaddy42]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

I kind of agree.  Most of his stuff has been serviceable, but none of it has been outstanding, and spending 5 minutes looking through a stock image gallery to cut and paste stuff together is not worth the price tag they have to be paying for his "name." 

IMHO, they haven't had an exceptional album cover since SFAM.  I would like to see them hire a young, eager artist to just go nuts.

[Bertielee]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

I kind of agree.  Most of his stuff has been serviceable, but none of it has been outstanding, and spending 5 minutes looking through a stock image gallery to cut and paste stuff together is not worth the price tag they have to be paying for his "name." 

IMHO, they haven't had an exceptional album cover since SFAM.  I would like to see them hire a young, eager artist to just go nuts.

Maybe work with this guy (Caras Ionut is his name)?

https://www.carasdesign.com/#!/

B.Lee

[rumborak]

Yeah. Get rid of Syme, because I can't think of anything more lackluster than his albums covers. ADTOE was, IMHO, the absolute low point. Meaningless, and rehashed.
Remember when people used to add Windows clip art to their party invitations? Syme is essentially a professional version of that.

[Mosh]

They wouldn't even need something complicated. Haken's The Mountain is sleek simple and clean and that album cover has a much larger statement than anything DT has made with Syme.

[TheGreatPretender]

Well, the cover for DT12 is pretty awesome, regardless of what the INSIDE of the CD booklet looks like.

[Zantera]

Well, the cover for DT12 is pretty awesome, regardless of what the INSIDE of the CD booklet looks like.

I mean it's the majesty logo on a black/dark blue background? It's pretty simple I guess, I haven't seen the interior. I think most of their artworks are the typical "It has to be random and crazy because it is progressive music", which a lot of progressive bands have. I love simple covers myself, I think a cover like Falling Into Infinity is more intriguing than Train of Thought for example.

[TheGreatPretender]

It is simple, but the subtle colors, and the layout of it makes it very aesthetically pleasing, and also noticeable. It does stand out, I'd say.

[Randaran]

I would like a more simplistic design like SDOIT or something like SFAM. However, what DT's artwork really needs is more elephants.

[RaiseTheKnife]

It is simple, but the subtle colors, and the layout of it makes it very aesthetically pleasing, and also noticeable. It does stand out, I'd say.

really?  I found it unimaginative and underwhelming.  The image of the earth from space has been used ad nausea in various media and it DT12's didn't add anything new to the concept.  Less is not more in this case.

But I will say that BCSL is an amazing and evocative cover for me, elephants and all.

[dparrott]

Graphic design and graphic arts are not the same thing.  They need an ARTIST.

[Madman Shepherd]

I am perfectly happy with Hugh Syme (minus a few lazy instances).  I also wouldn't mind someone new. 

[TheGreatPretender]

really?  I found it unimaginative and underwhelming.  The image of the earth from space has been used ad nausea in various media and it DT12's didn't add anything new to the concept.  Less is not more in this case.

But I will say that BCSL is an amazing and evocative cover for me, elephants and all.

Well, can't please everyone. Honestly, I don't know how often the image of earth from space has been used, but I don't ever recall one popping out at me the way DT12 did. The fact that they don't have the band name/album title on the cover, I think is a big part of it though. It's just the logo. The fans know what it is. Those who don't know, might be compelled to check it out. I know that's what I do with pretty much every unlabeled album cover. There's an intrigue behind the mystery. So maybe it's not the planet itself that makes the cover attractive, but it's still better than just having the logo on a plain black background.

[Lucien]

Graphic design and graphic arts are not the same thing.  They need an ARTIST.

Well, a long time ago, say 20, 30 years, Hugh Syme did indeed use paint and canvas, etc. Look at covers of Rush albums like Power Windows and Grace Under Pressure. Those were both Hugh Syme iirc.

[hefdaddy42]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

I kind of agree.  Most of his stuff has been serviceable, but none of it has been outstanding, and spending 5 minutes looking through a stock image gallery to cut and paste stuff together is not worth the price tag they have to be paying for his "name." 

IMHO, they haven't had an exceptional album cover since SFAM.  I would like to see them hire a young, eager artist to just go nuts.

Maybe work with this guy (Caras Ionut is his name)?

https://www.carasdesign.com/#!/

B.Lee

Yeah, maybe.  Definitely some striking stuff there.  Works for me.

[JediKnight1969]

Two words: GEORGE GRIE.

Just an example of a perfect image for "Bridges in the sky"

[rumborak]

Graphic design and graphic arts are not the same thing.  They need an ARTIST.

Well, a long time ago, say 20, 30 years, Hugh Syme did indeed use paint and canvas, etc. Look at covers of Rush albums like Power Windows and Grace Under Pressure. Those were both Hugh Syme iirc.

That's a Hugh Syme cover too. I have no idea how a guy who can produce something like this can put out ADTOE or Flying Colors' new album cover.

[Xenon]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

This.
Also, it would be cool if they work with a Photographer like they did with Jerry Uelsmann in ToT. I like obscure artwork, so Lasse Hoile could work too. He worked with DT previously and his Work with Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson and Opeth.

[ResultsMayVary]

I would like a more simplistic design like SDOIT or something like SFAM. However, what DT's artwork really needs is more elephants.

SDOIT was their best. I loved that cover. Between the six degree (the song) references and the parts of hand written notes of lyrics and ideas, that album cover (and the rest of the artwork) is awesome.

[RoeDent]

ADTOE's cover is refreshing. Reflecting the tone of the album.

[RaiseTheKnife]

ADTOE's cover is refreshing. Reflecting the tone of the album.

I'm apt to agree with this, especially when you take in the whole presentation, liner/album artwork.  #DT shark.

[The Stray Seed]

I like this one. By v-k-s on Deviantart.

Link: https://v-k-s.deviantart.com/art/Dream-Theater-Version-1-78188645

[Riitasointi]

Perfect DT artwork? Hmm lemme think.

[mikeyd23]

^^ Yeah its really a great art design.  Nice and clean and simple.

[The Stray Seed]

Yes, it's actually preeeetty nice =)))

[jingle.boy]

One word:  STEVETHEATER

https://www.steve-art.net/dream-theater.html

[Zydar]

Yeah, lose Hugh Syme and get Steve instead.

[Lucien]

Yeah. I was wondering where the re-generation fake album cover came from. Excellent stuff there.

[JPX]

First Step: Part company with Hugh Syme
Second Step: Let's Party

I kind of agree.  Most of his stuff has been serviceable, but none of it has been outstanding, and spending 5 minutes looking through a stock image gallery to cut and paste stuff together is not worth the price tag they have to be paying for his "name." 

IMHO, they haven't had an exceptional album cover since SFAM.  I would like to see them hire a young, eager artist to just go nuts.

Maybe work with this guy (Caras Ionut is his name)?

https://www.carasdesign.com/#!/

B.Lee

Why on earth would you get rid of a terrible (artist?) like Hugh Syme and replace him with someone like this who's work looks identical. There are a million real artists out there doing much better stuff than this.

[JPX]

One word:  STEVETHEATER

https://www.steve-art.net/dream-theater.html

Really, you want more Photoshop collages with literal references?