“Third,” studio album by Portishead
Sleeve design by Marc Bessant
Island Records
⚜️ ARTWORK
Island Records released Portishead’s “Third” (literally) on April 28, 2008. Pictured is the UK vinyl sleeve front cover artwork by designer Marc Bessant. [3]
“After the ten year gap from the last record, commented Bessant, “I knew the only visual which had stuck in the public eye had been the ‘P’ character. It was an established brand which I wanted to not only reintroduce but reinforce. We were keen to avoid anything ‘conceptual,’ no puns or noir imagery, that was all dead to us. I wanted to present a box, which simply holds the music, with the least amount of information on it which would ultimately say everything – essential minimalism – which I felt captured the Eastern Bloc coldness of some of the music I was hearing in the studio.” [2]
Bessant’s work combines both digital and handmade processes. “I enjoy experimenting with new techniques, take pleasure in exploring unfamiliar design territories and savour being part of the bigger picture, whether that be a record sleeve, film poster or corporate logo.” [1]
Vic Tory
Art of the Sleeve
⚜️ SOURCE(S)
[1] “About Me.” Marc Bessant, https://www.marcbessant.com/about. Accessed 11 May 2021.
[2] “Portishead - Third by Marc Bessant.” Plastic Circles, 12 August 2010, http://plasticcircles.blogspot.com/2010/08/portishead-third-by-marc-bessant.html?m=1. Accessed 11 May 2021.
[3] “Third (Portishead album).” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_(Portishead_album)?wprov=sfti1. Accessed 11 May 2021.
