The cover of Goo features a drawing by Raymond Pettibon inspired by the Moors Murders, a notorious crime case from the 1960s. The back cover includes another Pettibon drawing with the caption: “Nothing...lipstick, a little blood.” Known for his pencil sketches, Pettibon also collaborated with bands like Black Flag and Minutemen. The Goo cover has become iconic, inspiring countless parodies and mashups.

Mike Kelley, a longtime friend of Kim Gordon and an artist known for exploring trauma, repression, and identity, designed the Dirty album cover. Using complex and layered symbolism, Kelley analyzed the social and psychological structures that influence human experience. He often employed unconventional materials like stuffed animals and blankets to question the emotional and commercial value of everyday objects. The back cover of the album features portraits of the band members by Richard Kern.

Richard Prince often used images from other artists and photographers as sources for his works. Notable examples include his Untitled (Rephotographs) and the Nurse Paintings series, where he painted over pulp fiction book covers. The “nurses” on Sonic Youth’s 2004 album Sonic Nurse are all Prince’s works, with the cover featuring a nurse holding a flower, aptly titled “Sonic Youth Nurse.”