7 K-Pop Girl Group Albums That Won Awards For Their Stunning Cover Design
In K-Pop, album packaging is almost as gorgeous as the idols themselves. Designers put hours upon hours of time and care into creating album covers that will look great in any fan’s display, but their hard work really pays off when they receive awards. The Red Dot Design Awards and iF Design Awards are two of the three ceremonies known as the “Oscars” of design, and K-Pop albums have won accolades at both of them. Take a look at 7 girl group releases that were officially recognized for their innovation, aesthetics, concept, and more.
1. Girls’ Generation – The Boys
The album cover art for Girls’ Generation’s The Boys won a Communication Design Award at the 2014 Red Dot Design Awards. It also won an Album Packaging Award at the 2014 iF Design Awards.
Designed by a team at SM Entertainment, the packaging was awarded for the sophisticated illustrations on its antique-style tin case as well as the postcard-style booklet.
2. Girls’ Generation – I Got A Boy
The album cover art for Girls’ Generation’s I Got a Boy won an Album Packaging Award at the 2014 iF Design Awards.
Designed by a team at SM Entertainment, the packaging was awarded for its street-punk style and expression each member’s unique character while retaining unity as a group.
3. f(x) – 4 Walls
The album cover art for f(x)’s 4 Walls won an Album Packaging Design Award at the 2016 iF Design Awards.
Designed by a team at SM Entertainment, the packaging was awarded for expressing the concept of “four walls” in different ways as well as its cohesion with the album’s corresponding 4 Walls exhibit.
4. f(x) – Pink Tape
The album cover art for f(x)’s Pink Tape won a Communication Design Award at the 2014 Red Dot Design Awards.
Designed by a team at SM Entertainment, the album is renowned for being designed as a literal pink cassette tape with a retro theme, strongly embodying the concept.
5. f(x) – Electric Shock
The album cover art for f(x)’s Electric Shock won a Communication Design Award at the 2014 Red Dot Design Awards.
Designed by a team at SM Entertainment, this quirky packaging was made to fit the concept of showing a delicate part of your instinct. Creative director Min Heejin revealed Electric Shock was her favorite cover because of the double meanings of the symbols on the album cover.
6. 2NE1 – Crush
The album cover art for 2NE1’s Crush won an Album Packaging Design Award at the 2015 Red Dot Design Awards.
Designed by a team at YG Entertainment, this packaging is known for its kaleidoscope theme and strong contrast between the two versions.
7. Miss A – Colors
The album cover art for Miss A’s Colors won an Album Packaging Design Award at the 2016 iF Design Awards.
Designed by ACE Group, the packaging was awarded for its reflection of the three keywords (colors, vivid, and boldness) as well as the classy monograms representing each member.
