眾神護台灣專輯的設計師蕭青陽今天獲得美國獨立音樂獎（IMA）最佳包裝設計獎！
Thank you Congratulations to everyone！
謝謝大家！ 恭喜大家！
http://www.independentmusicawards.com/…/art…/qing-yang-xiao/
Responses to “Qing-Yang Xiao”
Gioia says:
One of the greatest designer I know. His album design works are something you can keep in your life. Every once a while you take out, they bring back to you all the memmories… 03/13/2012 at 7:35 pm
DESCRIBE YOUR NOMINATED WORK:
75 years ago, Macy’s grandfather left his family behind, boarding a boat in Keelung port in Taiwan heading for Osaka in Japan in pursuit of his dream as a jazz saxophonist, and he died there….75 years later, Macy, disappointed at her career as backup vocalist in Taiwan, decided to follow his grandfather’s footstep. She hopped on a plane, all alone, going to New York to pursuit her dream to make jazz music. Thus born the record After 75 Years. When I heard of this story, I realized this record is not just about music. It is also dream, memory, and passion. It is a journey across time and place, linked by family bond that was translated into 6 letters that travelled through the time and music. The envelops, stamps, papers, boats, pen handwriting, Japanese and Chinese characters, photos, and the last email. All of the proof that told the hidden secrets of the family touched me immensely and let me sink into deep thoughts. The one-year-and-half work was enjoyable, especially because it gave me a chance for the first time to fly from Asia to New York to bask in the soulful jazz music of local jazz bars. Only then did I realize the feeling of Macy’s grandfather when he embarked on that lonely trip chasing after his dream.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT?
When Macy flew from New York to Taipei to talk to me, sharing the music and story with me, I suddenly realized that this time I would not be just a designer but a director to re-create those memories of dreams on printed paper. The process of patching different memories and stories into one whole piece once made me feel melancholy too. But the result gave me much more happiness.
WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT & PROCESS? DID YOU & THE BAND COLLABORATE?
In fact, Macy’s team had already done a design in New York. But one day, Macy accidentally saw an interview of me on TV talking about my works and ideals, she decided to engage me. She flew all the way from New York to Taipei and persuaded me into doing it. She has more confidence in me and myself, believing that I would translate the deep emotions and music of east and west into an artistic expression. The profound love and courageous pursuit of dream moved me so much that I decided to take this job. Without the same devotion and conviction, I couldn’t have made it cause my pay was already used up by the time I found the photographer and copywriter and flew to New York for the shooting!
WAS THE DESIGN/IMAGE YOU CREATED USED IN ANY OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE ARTIST? PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Packaging design isn’t just sugar-coating. I always think that if one can express his heart through music, the packaging design should also deliver the emotions and thoughts of the music. It should touch people’s heart just like the melodies inside of it.
DESCRIBE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WORKING WITH THE MUSICAL ARTIST:
Each time I work with musicians, I feel like experiencing a different life. I enjoy listening and this has enriched my life.
WHAT OTHER INDEPENDENT MUSIC PROJECTS HAVE YOU WORKED ON?
Though I have always lived in the island of Taiwan I can listen to western music and the creative works via radio and other media. All these have become my nutrition and I always try to integrate various elements to create something new and unique. After 28 years in the business, the chance to always do something i haven’t yet done before keeps my passion alive and the opportunities to work with different talents are sheer pleasure to me. My works might seem more independent than independent. I did design for an album which features two grandmas from an indigenous tribe recording their tribe music in Spain. Another album features a children choir led by a principal at an elementary school located at a 1000-meter-high mountain in praise of God. Or a genius boy who hasn’t grown since the 5th grade flied from a small village on Taiwan’s east coast to Vienna to look for his dream. And there’re more…..Last time, I was very honored to receive the best packaging design from IMA for Island Story. To celebrate it, local government at my hometown held a press conference for me, allowing me to share my thoughts with the world. I made a vow there and then, saying that “I’d want to go farther into the mountains or the seaside to do the design. I want to contribute my skills and capabilities to those who still have dreams for music, even in the remote countryside.” The nomination of After 75 Years once again helped me realize my dream.
WHICH MUSICIAN’S WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH NEXT?
I’ve done it for 28 years in this island and now I’d like to work with musicians outside of my country. I haven’t done anything like reggae, punk, folk, world music, contemporary, blues, trance, break beat, big-beat, etc. As long as it’s something different, I’d like to give it a try.
WHAT ROLE WILL ALBUM ART/PHOTOGRAPHY PLAY IN A DIGITAL/STREAMING WORLD?
The age of digital music highlights the importance of physical texture of the packaging design. Like After 75 Years, if you haven’t touched it and flipped it though, you couldn’t have enjoyed it as much.
HOW HAVE CHANGES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AFFECTED YOUR CAREER & ART?
From 80s to now, the world has gone from vinyl, cassettes, walkman, CD, to MP3 and more. The evolution from analogue to digital music as well as the device has also made me grow. But whatever the tool is, I think man is born to sing. That will not never change.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO SUBMIT TO THE 11TH IMAS?
My friend in the US helped me apply for the competition of last year and this year. I changed my mind of not wanting to venture out. Now I want to share my works with people all around the world.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS/GRAPHIC DESIGNERS/ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?
They have different antenna that transmits different message than I do. Collaborating with them help me develop imagination I never had before. I love working with those geeks. Each time, we make each other’s eyes wide open!
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
In 1995, I was the first Asian ever to be dominated for packaging design at Grammy. Ever since then, I’ve started to promote those records that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR?
The music industry is about dream and passion. After finished the 2-year project of Story Island and one-year-and-an-half After 75 Years‘, I am now looking forward to meeting with musicians that share the same passion and dream as me.
WHERE CAN FANS FIND YOUR WORK?
My website: http://www.shout.com.tw
My blog: http://blog.yam.com/shoutstu
Mt FB: http://www.facebook.com/shout.cc
My emails: shoutstu@ms24.hinet.net shoutstu01@gmail.com
Or Google Qing-yang Xiao 蕭青陽
