Hipgnosis

Hipgnosis was a British art design group noted for creating some of the most influential album cover art of the 1970s and early 1980s. Formed in London in 1968 by photographers Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, the collective specialized in concept-driven, photography-based sleeves that combined surreal imagery with photomontage and elaborate staging. Their work helped define the visual language of rock album presentation during a period when cover art was seen as an extension of the music.

The firm produced sleeves for a wide range of major acts, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and other prominent rock musicians. Some of Hipgnosis’s best-known designs include Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), featuring the famous prism and spectrum; Wish You Were Here (1975), with the burning handshake; and Animals (1977), which depicts a flying pig above Battersea Power Station. Their approach often emphasized transformation and ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations and generating enduring cultural impact.

In addition to music industry influence, Hipgnosis helped popularize a collaborative workflow between photographers, designers, and musicians, shaping expectations for how album art could contribute to an artist’s identity. The group’s activity waned in the mid- to late 1980s, with Thorgerson continuing to produce artwork under his own name and Powell pursuing other design projects. Hipgnosis’s legacy persists in discussions of album cover design as a important facet of musical presentation and visual culture.