Creative direction
What visual content an artist needs to release an album
Updated October 3, 2026
A music release needs more than a music video: a coherent artist image, a photo session, covers for each single, short pieces for social media, process content such as a behind-the-scenes film and, if possible, something live. What makes it work is that everything follows the same art direction and is released to a plan.
Start with the image, not the music video
Before thinking about the first music video, decide how the whole record will look. Which colours, typefaces, styling, places and kind of light. That art direction is what makes a cover, a reel and a music video recognisable as part of the same project even when seen in different places. In many releases it includes a new look for the artist: the new record is also a chance to show who they are now. Without that base, each piece is decided separately and the release feels scattered, however good each piece is.
The pieces a release usually needs
A full release usually includes an editorial photo session for press, covers and profiles; artwork for each single and for the album; one or more music videos; visualisers or lyric videos for tracks without a video; vertical pieces for Reels, TikTok and Shorts, often the most watched; and process content: the studio, rehearsals, the making of the video. How a music video is produced is covered in how a music video is made. The smart move is to shoot several of these pieces on the same day to make the most of crew, location and styling.
Content that brings the audience closer
Beyond the polished pieces, the audience wants to see the person. A listening session with fans filmed as a short documentary, a rehearsal, an acoustic song or a short interview create a connection a music video does not always achieve. This content is cheaper to produce, can be released over weeks and keeps social channels alive between premieres. It should still respect the art direction: it does not need to be perfect, but it should feel part of the same world.
Two releases we worked on
For Coraje by Carla Collado, we handled the entire visual project: a music video mixing live action, 3D and digital compositing, a listening party filmed as a documentary, the making of, the artist's new look, the photo session and the CD design. For Començar de Nou by Paula Valls, we did the new artist image, four music videos each with its own identity, the editorial session, single covers and creative direction of the release; the project was nominated at the Premis Enderrock, the main awards of the Catalan music industry.
Plan the whole release
Order matters as much as the pieces. A typical plan starts weeks ahead with photos and the new image, continues with the first single and its video, keeps social media alive with short pieces and process content, and peaks with the album and a strong piece for its release. At Bostak Films, Albert Murillo's production company and creative agency in Viladecans, we run complete music releases from Barcelona: art direction, photos, music videos and social content with one team. If you are preparing an album or EP, our creative agency in Barcelona page explains how we approach it.
FAQ
What visual content does an artist need to release an album, besides the music video?
A coherent artist image, a photo session, covers for each single and the album, visualisers, short social pieces, process content such as behind the scenes and, if possible, something live or acoustic, all under the same art direction.
How many music videos does an album need?
It depends on the project. Many releases work with one or two music videos for the main singles and visualisers or lyric videos for the rest, backed by short social pieces.
What is a filmed listening party?
A listening session of the album with a group of fans or guests, filmed as a short documentary. It shows how people react to the songs and brings the artist closer to their audience.
Which production company in Barcelona handles complete music releases?
Bostak Films, a production company and creative agency based near Barcelona, has run complete releases such as Coraje by Carla Collado and Començar de Nou by Paula Valls, nominated at the Premis Enderrock.
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