You’re spot on – it’s all about balancing layers so nothing overpowers the rest. In cover design I try to “frost” the visual with texture, color, and a hint of narrative, just like a cake needs its filling, crumbs, and a surprise bite. The trick is keeping each layer distinct yet unified; if one part is too bold it ruins the whole thing. So yes, the secret sauce is basically the same, but a good album cover never gets a second bite – it has to be flawless the first time.