I did some research, mostly using Google images, to see what existing album covers looked like. They are all fairly unique in terms of mise-en-scene but they do however have things in common. All the album covers either have the name of the artist or their recognisable logo so that the audience can easily see who's album it is, whether they are buying it from a shop or buying it on iTunes. Album covers that do not have the name of the artist on may have something else on the cover which enables the audience to recognise whose album it is. For example on Eminem's Relapse album, his name is not featured on the cover, but a photo of Eminem is featured and because he is very well know, the audience will see it and automatically know it is his album. This also applies to Daft Punk's Random Access Memories album. As they are well know for wearing robot helmets, just having a photo of their two helmets merged together will allow an audience to recognise that is is Daft Punk without actually having to see their name on the album cover. The Beatles Abbey Road album is also a very good example of this.As they are a very well known band and around the time this album was brought out, they were probably one of the biggest bands on the planet and even now they are one of the biggest and most well know bands there ever was, there is no need to feature their name on the album, because everybody already knows who they are and so featuring their name would be unnecessary. The Abbey Road album cover is simplistic yet iconic and whenever anybody sees that album cover, they know exactly who the band and exactly what album it is.
Album covers tend to have bright colours and bold lettering in order to catch the eye of the audience. The cover usually has some sort of link to the theme of the album. For example if the songs on an album are primarily about love, red and pink may be used on the cover, so the audience gets an idea what they are going to be listening to, before they have starting listening to it.
