More Practicing Designing the Front & Back cover- Design 2

Today, I have created another design that I could consider using for my final CD Digipak design. I have used images that would be easier to replicate and photograph for my final Digipak. The images that I have chosen are daisy flowers and the image of the artist. I really like the way that the daisies are placed, making it look like a daisy chain. This emphasizes the girly personality of the artist but also the simplicity and unique nature of the genre folk-pop. For the back cover, I wanted to still use the daisy flowers but in a different way instead of just placing them. I then had another idea of having the petals coming off the daisy and falling down. I really like this idea as it is creative and it looks unique. I really like the final outcome as it is simple and bright but effective.

This is the outcome of my second design that I have created and practiced for my Digipak:

Step 1- colouring the background:

I decided that I wanted some colour in the background as initially I wanted the background white so that it is simple. However when I left it white, it didn't look as interesting or appealing. I picked the colour yellow for my background as I thought that it look natural and simple. I then used the paintbrush and changed the thickness so that it sprayed the whole outside covers. I left the bottom half white as it looks more interesting than having it completely yellow.

Step 2- cutting out the portrait of the artist:

As I am using the image of the artist on the front cover, I got a picture of Lenka off the internet and used the 'magnetic lasso' tool to trace around the outline of the portrait. This then made it easier to cut out from the background and before cutting it out, I used the 'feather' tool to soften the edges. 

Step 3- refining the edges and placing it on the front cover:

After cutting the portrait out, I then had to use a softer eraser to rub out and refined the edges. I had to zoom it so I would get a better and bigger picture, making it easier to rub out and soften the edges accurately. I then placed the portrait in the right corner of the front cover so it looks like the artist is looking up to the left. 

Step 4- cutting out the daisy flower and placing it on the covers:

I then got a picture of a daisy flower from the internet and used the 'magnetic lasso' tool to trace the outline of the flower. Before cutting the flower out, I used the 'feather' tool so it would soften the edges. I then placed the daisy flowers in a order so it would look interesting and eye-catching. I also placed them covering the spine so that you could see all the perspectives of the CD Digipak covered with images, making it more interesting. I also placed one daisy flower in the top left corner of the back cover as I am having it seem as though the petals are falling from that daisy.

Step 5- cutting around the petal and placing them on the back cover:

To create the image of the petals falling off the daisy flower, I used the same daisy flower picture and used the 'magnetic lasso' tool and traced round one of the petals. I then use the 'feather' tool to soften the edges and cut and paste the petal on the back cover. I adjusted the position and size of the petals and then duplictated the layer to get more of the petals. I placed all the petals to the position that I wanted to create that flowing effect of when the petals fall off.   

Step 6- trying out different filter effects and applying it on the daisy flowers and petals:

To differ the image of the covers and to make it more interesting and creative, I tried out many different effects to see which one looks and suits the best. I used the effect of 'Dry Brush', 'Fresco', 'Paint Daubs' and 'Cutout'. I really like the effect of the 'Cutout' as it makes the flower look quite cartoony and abstract. The abstactness reflect the quirkiness of the artist but also the look of the effect is quite simple too. As I was happy with the effect, I then applied it to the flowers and petals of the design. 

Step 7- adding text to both of the covers:

As the album and artist's name is the same, I only put the name on the front cover one. I used the font 'Party LET', the same font I used in the first design, as I thought that the font was really interesting and appealing. I used black writing as it would stand out from the yellow bright background. However, I felt that the black colour of the writing was too dark and sharp so I changed the opacity to 80% so that it was more subtle and soft. I then did my track listing on the back cover. using the same font and colour. This time, I did not change the opacity for the writing of the track listing as I thought that it should need to be dark and piercing so it would be clear and readable. I decided to place it near the left side of the back cover so it looked more interesting against the daisy flower and petals.

Step 8- adding my barcode and the record label on the back cover:

To add the finishing touches on the back cover, I added my own generated barcode and also the record label logo at the bottom of the back cover.

Step 9- creating the spine:

 I then created the spine and this consists of the artist's and album name and also the record label. To make it easier to create the spine, I duplicated the layer of the record label and the name. I then resized and rotated it so that it would fit into the spine.

Step 10- adding small print to the back cover:  

To finish my outside covers of my CD Digipak, I added the small print on the back cover using the image of the of Lenka's album I found on the internet. I added this small print as it is typically found on all back covers of CD Digipaks. 

I really like this design that I have created as it is simple but effective as it is bright and vivid and would appeal to consumers and the audience. If I am going to re-create this design for my actual CD Digipak it would be easy as the images are easily taken and captured by photograph so it is simple and easy to replicate.