Press
Mainer lives dream, designs cover of Public Enemy CD
Mike Gregoire, who decided just recently to study graphics design, has been a fan of the influential hip-hop group for years.
By RAY ROUTHIER
Staff Writer (Portland Press Herald)
Graphic design student Mike Gregoire won't graduate from college until next year, but he's already landed his dream job - designing an album cover for the influential hip-hop group Public Enemy.
The album will be in stores around the country on July 23, and the first thing buyers will see is Gregoire's art work.
"This has been completely amazing, " said Gregoire, 30, who studies graphic design at the Maine College of Art. "It's really like a dream. "
Gregoire has been a fan of the group's rap music and topical lyrics since he was a high school student in Old Orchard Beach. But the Portland resident never dreamed he'd be working with them.
Then last year Gregoire was browsing the group's Web site when he read a message from Public Enemy member Chuck D, saying the group was looking for fans to help scout talent for their online record label, SlamJamz Records. Gregoire sent an e-mail asking Chuck D if he needed any help with graphics and art.
The rapper said maybe, and asked Gregoire to design art for several songs that were going to appear on the SlamJamz Web site as singles. Gregoire happily agreed to do this, using freehand sketches and computer designs, and Chuck D liked what he saw.
Later, members of Public Enemy let their fans know they were looking for help creating and packaging their new album, "Revolverlution". The group is touting the release as the first "truly interactive album" because of the fans who worked on it, via the Internet.
Gregoire was picked in February to design all of the album's art, including the cover, on the CD itself and the layout of the text. Four fans from various parts of the world helped to produce some tracks, and another fan wrote the liner notes. Gregoire was the only fan from Maine picked to contribute to the album.
He is currently working on the album art, and is not supposed to reveal what his designs might look like. But samples of other designs he did for SlamJamz Records can be seen online at www.digitexturia.com.
Gregoire didn't decide on a career in graphic design until recently, after years of working various retail jobs around Portland. After he graduates from Maine College of Art next year, he'd like to work as an independent designer doing various graphic art assignments.
And once Public Enemy's album comes out, he'll have a pretty impressive first assignment on his resume. Not to mention the money which Gregoire says is "a decent amount" but won't say how decent
He also continues to design singles covers for Public Enemy's online record label.
But the experience, as a music fan and someone who wants a career in design, is what Gregoire prizes most.
"I had done a high school project about Public Enemy, a six-page homemade magazine, so I've been a fan since the beginning," said Gregoire, who is married and works for a photographer when not in school. "And this should definitely help get my career going."
Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6154 or at: rrouthier@pressherald.com