PREP PSYCHOLOGY As a graphic designer, I'm constantly intrigued by old album covers, especially R&B and easy listening collections from the mid-20th century. The modern use of type, airbrushing, soft lighting and romantic settings create an idealized image that can be achieved (its implied) through the enjoyment of the music.
Often, the fictional characters depicted on album covers were of a prep ideal, clean-scrubbed white young people with perfect clothes and perfect hair. The prep lifestyle was aspirational, the way (it was thought) rich people lived at the time.
I found this 1963 Allan Sherman album at the Salvation Army today. The racism (by modern standards) of the image is obvious... until you read the liner notes and see that this is the actual Sherman family with their actual maid and driver. Satire at is best. So who's making fun of whom? (stroking chin thoughtfully)
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