Square the Circle (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Hipgnosis is founded

The documentary opens with the founding of the Hipgnosis studio by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell in 1968. The two were already associates of the band Pink Floyd, a relationship that would prove crucial to their early success. This partnership became the starting point for some of the most celebrated album artwork in rock history.

When

1968

First commission: A Saucerful of Secrets

Hipgnosis received its breakthrough when Pink Floyd commissioned the young studio to design the cover for the album A Saucerful of Secrets. The film recounts this first major project and how it launched Thorgerson and Powell's career in music design. It also marked the beginning of a long creative relationship with the band.

When

1968

Classic covers for rock's biggest artists

Through the 1970s, Hipgnosis produced many classic album covers for some of the era's leading artists, including Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Wings, and 10cc. The film walks through the production of several of these iconic sleeves. This body of work established the studio as a defining visual force of 1970s rock.

When

1970s

Experimental photography methods

A central focus of the documentary is Thorgerson and Powell's experimental approach to photography. Eschewing simple studio work, they staged elaborate, surreal scenes and unconventional setups to create their unforgettable images. The film shows how these hands-on techniques became the studio's creative signature.

More landmark covers for Pink Floyd

Alongside their work for other artists, Hipgnosis designed several more covers for Pink Floyd over the years. The film revisits these designs, which became inseparable from the band's visual identity. The collaboration stands as one of the most enduring partnerships between a band and its album designers.

Influencing rock album cover art

The documentary explores the influence Hipgnosis had on rock album covers throughout the era. Their imaginative, unconventional designs helped redefine what album artwork could be and raised expectations for the entire industry. Their approach left a lasting mark on cover design far beyond their own catalogue.

Punk rock changes everything

As the film moves into the late 1970s, the rise of punk rock made Hipgnosis's elaborate album covers seem out of step with the times. Punk's raw, minimalist aesthetic pushed ornate artwork out of fashion almost overnight. This cultural shift brought the golden age of the studio's signature style to a close.

When

Late 1970s

A pivot to new ventures

With demand for their ornate album covers fading, Thorgerson and Powell moved into video production and other artistic projects. The documentary ends its historical narrative on this transitional moment for the studio. It signals the close of the Hipgnosis cover art era, even as the partners' creative collaboration continued in new forms.

When

Late 1970s

Storm Thorgerson dies

The film also stands as a tribute to Storm Thorgerson, who died in 2013. His passing means the documentary is a retrospective look at his life and legacy, shaped through the memories of those who knew and worked with him. Powell's stories throughout the film carry the weight of memorializing his late partner.

When

2013

Po Powell tells the story

Aubrey "Po" Powell was interviewed extensively for the documentary and emerges as its central storyteller. Since Thorgerson could not participate, Powell also speaks on behalf of his longtime partner throughout the film. His firsthand recollections anchor the account of the studio's history from beginning to end.

Musicians revisit their covers

Several notable musicians appear in the film to discuss the covers Hipgnosis created for their albums. Their interviews reveal the collaborative process behind the designs and how the artwork connected to their music. These conversations give viewers a firsthand sense of working with the legendary studio.

Anton Corbijn's directorial eye

Reviewers noted the influence of director Anton Corbijn's own knowledge of photography and graphic design on the finished film. Corbijn's visual background informs how the documentary presents and frames Hipgnosis's work. The result feels like a study of album art made by a fellow visual artist.

Modern fans celebrate the legacy

The documentary also includes interviews with modern fans of the classic Hipgnosis covers, most notably Noel Gallagher. Their appreciation demonstrates how the studio's work continues to resonate across generations. It reinforces the film's message that these covers remain cultural touchstones long after the vinyl era.