If you’ve even dipped your toes in the water that is independent music then you’ve seen some of the horrible graphic work that is all over the place.  It’s not that it’s all bad, but a lot of it… well, it just plain sticks.

Bad album art, bad websites, bad flyers and bad T-shirts.  They look amateurish and do more to drive people away then anything else.  As with most other aspects of the music game, look at what bands that you listen do.  Are their websites done in basic HTML? Do their MySpace profiles resemble a train wreck?  How about the artwork for their albums?

Get the picture?

These days it’s even easier to get quality graphics then ever before, yet many indie musicians don’t take advantage of the resources that are right in front of them.  If you don’t already have Photoshop, chances are you know someone who does.  Beyond that, you can learn how to use Photoshop like a pro – there’s enough instructional material out there to get you where you need to be.

If you still need help, then look around at your friends and family.  Are any of them talented artists, photographers or graphic designers?  Ask them for help.  If you don’t have any visually inclined friends, then the next place to check is your local college.  Students are a great source for talent.  They generally have access to pro quality facilities and equipment, a fresh perspective on the field that they’re studying and they are usually looking for projects to include in their portfolio.

If you still can’t get help and need to do your graphics yourself, here’s a tip; keep it simple.  Some of the best music art is the most basic.  Look at the Beatles’ White Album.