WPA style

Under his “New Deal,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented a number of federal programs to help put people back to work, build American infrastructure, and lift the economy out of the Depression. One of those programs is the Works Progress Administration, and one arm of the WPA employed artists, photographers, sculptors and other skilled artisans to publicize exhibits, community activities, theatrical productions, and health and educational programs. The “WPA style” of design influenced early album art, in particular with designer Alex Steinweiss, who is credited with creating the world’s first album cover. The WPA style is still popular and seen in today’s album designs.