The goal of this assignment was to establish an effective re-design of the American industrial rock band, Nine Inch Nails’ 1999 studio album, The Fragile. Specifically, this project pertains to the design outcome of the vinyl album booklet, the largest segment of the assignment. A vinyl album booklet, often referred to as an inlay or insert, is a printed paper insert that accompanies a vinyl record. These booklets typically contain additional information expanding on the album's content, such as album credits, song lyrics, artwork and photos, adding depth and context to the listening experience.
Above are multiple pages from inside the original 1999 vinyl album booklet, designed by David Carson. The Fragile is the third studio album by Nine Inch Nails and was released as a double album in September, 1999 by Nothing and Interscope Records. Front man, Trent Reznor describes the album as being “based a lot in fear, because I was afraid as fuck about what was happening to me... That's why there aren't a lot of lyrics on that record. I couldn't fucking think. An unimaginable amount of effort went into that record in a very unfocused way.” Lyrically, The Fragile communicates themes of despair and violence which is further exacerbated through the album's aggressive and powerful sound.
The purpose of this assignment was not to change the distinctive, pre-existing aesthetic of the album or Nine Inch Nails’ visual identity as a whole, but to modify it in order to enhance the communication of their music through image, type and video.
Below is the second trailer-like commercial which was created as part of the marketing and promotion of this colossal, triple LP album. This video took a week to create, intended to expand on the themes of despair and violence previously outlined.