Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dennis Loren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dennis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Just so people understand that we are talking about my freelance graphic design & illustration career and NOT a product – ha!!!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Detroit in 1946. I have always been attacted to graphic design. As a young boy I use to study magazine layouts, packaging such as album covers and the various design & illustration techniques used. In Junior High School I was tutored in drawing – twice a week after school – by my art teacher Mr. Hashonian. In High School I learned the funtamentals of graphic design in my print shop class by my teacher Mr. Stolfo.

Upon my High School graduation in June 1964, I worked full time, so that I could pay for art school night classes at the Society Of Arts & Crafts in Detroit. This art school is now known as The Center For Creative Studies. In September of 1965 I was drafted. After my dischage, I got my first graphic design job at the Graphic Reproduction Company in San Francisco. I also worked freelance and designed my first concert posters for Muddy Waters, The Youngbloods and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

In July of 1970 I returned to the Detroit Metro area. During the 70s & 80s, I became the art director for the music publications Goldmine, R.P.M. (Record Profite Magazine), Creem, Metal and Rock Shots. I also began designing LP Covers & 45 rpm single picture sleeves for the Westbound, Sound Of Gospel, Spider, Tremor, FTM, Maverick and other independent labels. In 1987, Cambray Publications purchased the Creem family of music magazines and moved the staff to Hollywood, When Creem was sold to another publisher in New York City, I chose to stay in Los Angeles and begin freelancing for record companies such as Rhino, Bomp!, Vanguard, Capitol, Del-Fi, Polygram and MCA.

I continue freelance. I have designed concert posters, CD & LP packaging and other tour merchandise for the following high profile bands and solo artists, such as Frank Zappa, Brian Wilson, Paul MacCartney, Jefferson Airplane, Otis Redding, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Big Brother & The Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin), The Flamin’ Groovies, Elvis Costello, BB King and The White Stripes.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I am proud to say, that I have never missed a printing deadline. Even if I had to stay up 24 hours to make that deadline.

Once I was called by Al Bell (the President of Bellmark Records). He had signed a group called Tag Team, who had song called “Whoomp There It Is.” that was busting out in some radio markets, He wanted to get records, tapes and CD into record stores as soon as possible, He asked me if I could design packaging in all formatts over the next 3 days. This release eventually sold 5 million copies.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have been blessed with multiple skills and the ability to design work in a variety of classic styles, One of my goals has been to please the band, artist, label, manager & booking agent that has hired me. Thier future recommendations to others has been very important to my ongoing career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dennisloren.com
• Facebook: Dennis Loren & Dennis Loren Art (pages)
• Linkedin: Dennis Loren

Image Credits
Photo of me (Dennis Loren) holding posters is by Debinina Seaton The 2 Photos me (Dennis Loren) with Brian Wilson and Elvis Costello were taken by Kent Wood. The following CD or LP covers – The Best Of The The Blues Project (Rhino Records), Bobby King “Inside the Outer Kingdom” (Del-Fi Records), Charles Dudley “Personality” and Tag Team “Whoomp! There It Is” (Bellmark Records), were designed by me (Dennis Loren). The Yes & Asia/Warfield Music Theater and The White Stripes/Masonic Temple concert posters were designed and illustrated by me (Dennis Loren).